converter
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
a device that changes something into a different form, such as changing electricity or a computer file type.
an apparatus for converting one form of energy, data, or physical state into another.
Simple“You will need a power converter if you want to use your hair dryer in Europe.”
In context“The technician installed a high-frequency signal converter to ensure the legacy hardware could communicate with the modern digital interface.”
UsageOften used with a modifying noun like 'power', 'catalytic', or 'digital'.
Synonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
a computer program that changes a file from one format to another, like turning a video into an audio file.
a software utility designed to translate data from one file format or encoding to another.
Simple“I used an online converter to turn the document into a PDF.”
In context“The developer recommended a batch converter to process the thousands of raw image files into a web-friendly format overnight.”
Synonymsencodertranscoder - 03 C1 Advanced
someone who has changed their religion or their strong political opinions.
a person who has undergone a conversion, particularly in a religious or ideological context.
Simple“As a recent converter to the faith, he attended every study group available.”
In context“The mission reported a significant number of new converters following the community outreach program in the rural provinces.”
Teacher's tipWhile 'convert' is the more common noun for a person, 'converter' is sometimes used to emphasize the person's active role in the change.
Synonymsproselyteneophyte
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 Latin -ariusbor. Proto-Germanic *-ārijaz Proto-West Germanic *-ārī Old English -ere Middle English -ere English -er English converter From convert + -er.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.