transformation
trans-fuh-MAY-shuhn
Transformation (noun) means a dramatic change in form, appearance, or character. Example: “The old warehouse's transformation into a bright apartment block surprised everyone who knew the street.”
noun
1
A dramatic change in form, appearance, or character.
"The old warehouse's transformation into a bright apartment block surprised everyone who knew the street."
"The city underwent a remarkable transformation over ten years."
"Her transformation from shy student to confident speaker was inspiring."
How to use transformation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA big, often positive, change in how something or someone looks or acts.
Common pairings
digital transformation
undergo a transformation
complete transformation
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Word forms
- Plural
- transformations
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The old warehouse's _____ into a bright apartment block surprised everyone who knew the street.
Etymology
From Middle French, ultimately from Ecclesiastical Latin "transformatio"; built from "transform" plus "-ation."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for transformation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for transformation →
Frequently asked questions
What does “transformation” mean?
The word “transformation” means a dramatic change in form, appearance, or character. In plain terms, a big, often positive, change in how something or someone looks or acts.
How do you pronounce “transformation”?
“Transformation” is pronounced trans-fuh-MAY-shuhn (/ˌtɹæns.fɔɹˈmeɪ.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “transformation” in a sentence?
Here is “transformation” used in a sentence: “The city underwent a remarkable transformation over ten years.”
What part of speech is “transformation”?
“Transformation” is a noun.
Where does the word “transformation” come from?
The word “transformation” comes from Latin. From Middle French, ultimately from Ecclesiastical Latin "transformatio"; built from "transform" plus "-ation.".
Is “transformation” a common word?
“Transformation” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between transformation and change?
Change is a broad word for anything becoming different, even in a small or gradual way. Transformation specifically means a dramatic change in form, appearance, or character, suggesting the result is strikingly different from the starting point. A transformation is a change, but change is the wider, more neutral term.
What is the difference between transformation and transition?
A transition is the process of moving from one state or stage to another, emphasising the passage between them. A transformation emphasises the dramatic difference in the end result, a marked change in form, appearance, or character. Something can go through a transition without ending up dramatically transformed.
What words commonly go with transformation?
Transformation often appears with adjectives like complete, dramatic, radical, and total, as in "a complete transformation." It also pairs with the verbs undergo and bring about, and with nouns in phrases such as digital transformation and personal transformation.
Is transformation a formal word?
Transformation is a fairly formal noun common in business, science, and writing about personal or organisational change. In casual conversation people often say makeover, overhaul, or simply big change to describe the same idea.
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