ENGLISH
REFERENCE

conversion

n. C / U
C1 Advanced Oxford US //kənˈvɝʒən// UK //kənvˈɜːʃən// con·ver·sion Archaic Slang

n. the process of changing something from one form, purpose, or system to another. You use this when you turn one thing into something else, like changing money into a different currency.

n. the act or process of transforming something from one state, function, or character to another. Often used in technical contexts to describe the modification of data, currency, or physical property.


SIMPLE

The conversion of the old factory into apartments took two years.

CONTEXTUAL

The website offers a free tool for the conversion of miles into kilometers for international travelers.

COMPLEX

The rapid conversion of natural grasslands into industrial farmland has significantly impacted local biodiversity, forcing many native species to migrate or face extinction.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English conversion, conversioun, borrowed from Anglo-Norman conversion, from Latin conversiō, from convertō.

Usage

Often followed by the preposition 'of' (the thing being changed) and 'into' or 'to' (the new form).

Pitfall

the conversion from dollars in eurosthe conversion of dollars into eurosWhen describing the process of change, 'conversion' typically takes 'of' for the source and 'into' for the result.

Idioms1 entry

© 2026 English Reference