convert
- 01 B1 Intermediate
v.to change something so that it has a different form or a new purpose.
v.to transform the physical state, function, or character of an object or system.
Simple“They decided to convert the old warehouse into a modern apartment building.”
In context“The developers plan to convert the decommissioned power station into a multi-use cultural hub while preserving its industrial facade.”
UsageOften used with the preposition 'into'.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to change your religion or your main beliefs, or to persuade someone else to do so.
v.to induce a change in an individual's religious affiliation, political ideology, or core belief system.
Simple“He decided to convert to Buddhism after traveling through Southeast Asia.”
In context“Missionaries spent decades attempting to convert the local population to their faith through education and community outreach.”
UsageIntransitive use typically takes the preposition 'to'.
Synonymsproselytizepersuade - 03 B1 Intermediate
v.to change a value from one system of measurement or money to another.
v.to express a quantity or value in alternative units or a different currency.
Simple“You can use this app to convert kilometers into miles quickly.”
In context“The accounting software automatically converts all foreign transactions into the company's functional currency using the daily spot rate.”
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to successfully score a goal or point, especially from a penalty or a specific opportunity.
v.to successfully complete a scoring opportunity, such as a penalty kick or an extra point after a touchdown.
Simple“The striker managed to convert the penalty in the final minute of the game.”
In context“The team failed to convert several crucial power-play opportunities, which ultimately cost them the championship title.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.someone who has changed their religion or their strong opinion about something.
n.an individual who has adopted a new set of religious beliefs or has been persuaded to support a previously opposed cause.
Simple“As a recent convert to veganism, she was eager to share new recipes with her friends.”
In context“The political party gained many new converts following the announcement of their innovative economic platform.”
Teacher's tipNote the stress shift: the verb is con-VERT /kənˈvɜːrt/ and the noun is CON-vert /ˈkɒnvɜːrt/.
PitfallHe is a convert of Islam. He is a convert to Islam.Use the preposition 'to' when identifying the new belief system of a convert.
Usage convert to
“Using inexpensive silicon-based detectors, the system quickly converts near-infrared light to visible light while producing clearer images through these difficult environments.”
“Esther/Little Bird is punishingly self-reliant, being barely accepted by her Jewish in-laws, despite converting at a young age.”
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ḱe Proto-Indo-European *ḱóm Proto-Italic *kom Proto-Italic *kom- Proto-Indo-European *wert- Proto-Indo-European *wértetor Proto-Italic *wertō Proto-Italic *komwertō Latin convertōder. Old French convertirbor. Middle English converten English convert From Middle English converten, from Old French convertir, from Latin converto (“turn around”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.