transform

UK: /trænsˈfɔː^rm/

US: /v. trænsˈfɔrm; n. ˈtrænsfɔrm/

US: (v. trans fôrm′; n. trans′fôrm)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

trans•form /v. trænsˈfɔrm; n. ˈtrænsfɔrm/   v. [~ + object (+ into/to + object)]

1. to change in form:
   transformed his drab office into a cheery workspace.
2. to change in condition or character;
   convert:
   to transform sunlight into electrical power.
3. to change into another substance;
   transmute:
   The ancient alchemists sought ways to transform lead into gold.
4. Electricity to change (voltage and current) by an electrical transformer.

n. [countable]

5. Mathematics a mathematical number obtained from a given quantity by mathematical process.

trans•for•ma•tion /ˌtrænsfɚˈmeɪʃən/  n. [countable]

: After just a few weeks of exercise the transformation in his health was remarkable.

[uncountable]

: transformation of solar power to electrical power.

See -form-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

trans•form  (v. trans fôrm′;n. trans′fôrm), v.t. 

1. to change in form, appearance, or structure;
   metamorphose.
2. to change in condition, nature, or character;
   convert.
3. to change into another substance;
   transmute.
4. [Elect.]
   • to increase or decrease (the voltage and current characteristics of an alternating-current circuit), as by means of a transformer.
   • to decrease (the voltage and current characteristics of a direct-current circuit), as by means of a transformer.
5. [Math.] to change the form of (a figure, expression, etc.) without in general changing the value.
6. [Physics.] to change into another form of energy.

v.i. 

7. to undergo a change in form, appearance, or character;
   become transformed.

n. 

8. [Math.]
   • a mathematical quantity obtained from a given quantity by an algebraic, geometric, or functional transformation.
   • the transformation itself.
9. the result of a transformation.
10. a transformation.
11. [Logic.] transformation (def. 5).
12. [Ling.] a structure derived by a transformation.

• Latin trānsfōrmāre to change in shape. See trans-, form
• Middle English transformen 1300–50

trans•form ′a•ble, adj. 
trans•form ′a•tive, adj. 
Synonyms

• 1. transfigure.
  Transform, convert mean to change one thing into another.
  Transform suggests changing from one form, appearance, structure, or type to another:
  to transform soybeans into oil and meal by pressure.
  Convert suggests so changing the characteristics as to change the use or purpose:
  to convert a barn into a house.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

transform verb / trænsˈfɔːm/

1. to alter or be altered radically in form, function, etc
2. (transitive) to convert (one form of energy) to another form
3. (transitive) to change the form of (an equation, expression, etc) by a mathematical transformation
4. (transitive) to increase or decrease (an alternating current or voltage) using a transformer

noun / ˈtrænsˌfɔːm/

1. the result of a mathematical transformation, esp (of a matrix or an element of a group) another related to the given one by B=X^–1AX for some appropriate X

Etymology: 14th Century: from Latin transformāre, from trans- + formāre to form

transˈformable adjective

transˈformative adjective