convert
verb OPAL W
/kənˈvɜːt/
/kənˈvɜːrt/
Verb Forms
Idioms | present simple I / you / we / they convert | /kənˈvɜːt/ /kənˈvɜːrt/ |
| he / she / it converts | /kənˈvɜːts/ /kənˈvɜːrts/ |
| past simple converted | /kənˈvɜːtɪd/ /kənˈvɜːrtɪd/ |
| past participle converted | /kənˈvɜːtɪd/ /kənˈvɜːrtɪd/ |
| -ing form converting | /kənˈvɜːtɪŋ/ /kənˈvɜːrtɪŋ/ |
- [transitive, intransitive] to change or make something change from one form, purpose, system, etc. to another
- convert something They took just nine months to convert the building.
- You need to ensure that you've converted the data properly.
- The pub is a converted warehouse.
- convert something into something The hotel is going to be converted into a nursing home.
- What rate will I get if I convert my dollars into euros?
- convert something to something The system is eco-friendly because the waste heat is converted to electricity.
- convert from something Japan was at the time still converting from an agricultural economy.
- convert into/to something A lot of conventional farmers have converted to organic production.
- convert from something to something We've converted from oil to gas central heating.
Extra ExamplesTopics Buildingsb2- They live in a converted mill.
- to convert securities into shares
- [intransitive] convert into/to something to be able to be changed from one form, purpose, or system to another
- a sofa that converts into a bed
- In fruits, starch converts into sugar.
- [intransitive, transitive] to change your religion or beliefs; to make somebody change their religion or beliefs
- convert from something He converted from Catholicism 20 years ago.
- convert to something She converted to Judaism to marry him.
- convert from something to something He converted from Christianity to Islam.
- convert somebody from something Evangelical Christian groups were trying to convert Africans from indigenous religions.
- convert somebody to something She was soon converted to the socialist cause.
- convert somebody from something to something Mongolia was converted from shamanism to Buddhism in the late 16th century.
- [intransitive, transitive] to change an opinion, a habit, etc.
- convert (from something) to something I've converted to organic food.
- convert somebody (from something) (to something) I didn't use to like opera but my husband has converted me.
Extra ExamplesTopics Opinion and argumentc1- The Prime Minister was in favour of the idea but he never managed to convert the party.
- I've never liked opera but you might convert me!
- [transitive] convert something (in rugby and American football) to score extra points after a try or a touchdownTopics Sports: ball and racket sportsc2
Word OriginMiddle English (in the sense ‘turn round, send in a different direction’): from Old French convertir, based on Latin convertere ‘turn about’, from con- ‘altogether’ + vertere ‘turn’.
Idioms
preach to the converted
(also preach to the choir especially in North American English)
- to speak to people in support of views that they already hold
- I realize I may be preaching to the converted, but I think he's gorgeous.