transform
trans-FAWM
Transform (verb) means to change something greatly in appearance, nature, or character. Example: “Fresh paint and new furniture can completely transform a small, dull room.”
verb
1
To change something greatly in appearance, nature, or character.
"The alchemists sought to transform lead into gold."
"Fresh paint and new furniture can completely transform a small, dull room."
"The renovation transformed the old warehouse into a bright studio."
"A good mentor can transform a student's confidence."
How to use transform
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo change something so completely it becomes almost unrecognisable.
Common pairings
transform a space
transform your life
completely transform
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Word forms
- Plural
- transforms
- Third person singular
- transforms
- Past tense
- transformed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Fresh paint and new furniture can completely _____ a small, dull room.
Etymology
From Old French "transformer," from Latin "transformare" — "trans-" ("across") plus "forma" ("form").
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “transform” mean?
The word “transform” means to change something greatly in appearance, nature, or character. In plain terms, to change something so completely it becomes almost unrecognisable.
How do you pronounce “transform”?
“Transform” is pronounced trans-FAWM (/tɹænsˈfɔɹm/ in IPA).
How do you use “transform” in a sentence?
Here is “transform” used in a sentence: “The renovation transformed the old warehouse into a bright studio.”
What part of speech is “transform”?
“Transform” is a verb.
Where does the word “transform” come from?
The word “transform” comes from Latin. From Old French "transformer," from Latin "transformare" — "trans-" ("across") plus "forma" ("form").
Is “transform” a common word?
“Transform” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between transform and change?
Change is the general word for making or becoming different in any way, however small. Transform implies a thorough or dramatic change in appearance, nature, or character: a room is changed by new curtains but transformed by a full renovation.
What is the difference between transform and convert?
Convert usually means switching something from one defined form, use, or system to another — converting currency, or converting a loft into a bedroom — and the underlying thing stays recognizable. Transform stresses a deep or striking change in nature or appearance, after which the original may be hard to recognize.
Is it "transform into" or "transform to"?
Standard usage is transform into when naming the result: "The caterpillar transforms into a butterfly." "Transform to" is uncommon in everyday English and mostly confined to technical writing, so into is the safe choice.
What is the noun form of transform?
The everyday noun is transformation: "the transformation of the city center." In mathematics and signal processing, transform itself serves as a noun (a Fourier transform), but outside technical fields transformation is the form to use.
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