English Reference

Word

transform

Phoneticstrans·form

/ˈtɹænsfɔɹm/

Definitions

02to change nature or function

B2

v. to change the way something works or what it is used for.

v. to change the nature, condition, or function of an entity; to convert one thing into another.

“The factory was transformed into a modern art gallery.”

“Digital technology has transformed the way we consume media, shifting the power from traditional broadcasters to individual content creators.”

Academic

Synonyms

converttransmute

03mathematical operation

C1 · Math

n. a rule or process that changes one mathematical form into another.

n. a mathematical operation or function that converts one function or expression into another form.

“The teacher explained how to use a Fourier transform to solve the problem.”

“Applying the Laplace transform allows engineers to convert complex differential equations into simpler algebraic forms for easier analysis.”

Technical

04geological fault

C2 · Science

n. a type of break in the Earth's surface where plates slide past each other.

n. a type of plate boundary where two tectonic plates slide past one another horizontally.

“The San Andreas Fault is a famous example of a transform boundary.”

“The seismic activity in the region is primarily driven by the movement along a major transform fault separating the two oceanic plates.”

Technical

Synonyms

Real-World Examples

“One way to help cool buildings is to install green roofs—living rooftops covered by plants that can transform heat-absorbing rooftops into cooling solutions.”
Phys.org · 14 Aug 2026
“Even our most unpleasant travel experiences can be revelatory, and the best can transform us into new versions of ourselves, especially once they are safely behind us.”
The Guardian · 11 Aug 2026

Etymology

From Middle English transformen, from Old French transformer, from Latin transformo, transformare, from trans (“across”, preposition) + forma (“form”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

Idioms

transform and roll out — Let's go, get a move on.

Domains

GeologyMathematics

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Common
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/transform

English Reference