Meaning & use
conversion
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable or uncountable
The act or process of changing something from one form, purpose, or state into another.
Grammar: Can be countable with 'a' or plural: a conversion, several conversions; uncountable when talking about the process in general.
Patterns
- conversion of something into something
- conversion from something to something
The conversion of the old factory into apartments took two years.
The company announced the conversion of its fleet to electric vehicles.
The conversion from analog to digital broadcasting happened in 2009.
nouncountable or uncountable
A change from one religion, belief, or opinion to another.
Grammar: Often used with 'to': her conversion to Buddhism.
Patterns
- conversion to something
- someone's conversion from something to something
His conversion to Islam happened after years of study.
The book describes her conversion from skepticism to faith.
The missionary's work led to many conversions in the region.
nouncountable or uncountablebusiness
In business, the act of a website visitor or customer completing a desired action, such as making a purchase.
Grammar: Common in marketing; 'conversion rate' is the percentage of people who complete the action.
Patterns
- conversion rate
- increase conversions
The new landing page improved our conversion rate by 15%.
We track conversions to see how many visitors actually buy something.
A high conversion rate means more people are taking the desired action.
nouncountablesport
In rugby, a kick at goal after a try, worth two points.
Grammar: Used in rugby union and rugby league.
Patterns
- kick a conversion
- score a conversion
He kicked the conversion to give his team a two-point lead.
The fullback missed an easy conversion.
Word forms
| plural | conversions |
|---|
Common combinations
- conversion rate
- Our conversion rate jumped after we simplified the checkout process.
- conversion process
- The conversion process from paper records to digital files was slow.
- religious conversion
- Religious conversion is a deeply personal decision.
- conversion therapy
- Conversion therapy is widely condemned by medical organizations.
- energy conversion
- Solar panels are an example of energy conversion.
Synonyms and how they differ
- change
- A general word for becoming different; 'conversion' often suggests a complete or formal change to a new form or use.
- transformation
- Suggests a dramatic or thorough change in appearance or nature; 'conversion' is more neutral and often technical.
- adaptation
- Means changing to fit a new situation or purpose; 'conversion' focuses on the change itself, not the fitting.
Word family
- convert verb
- To change something into another form or use.
- convert noun
- A person who has changed to a new religion or belief.
- convertible adjective
- Able to be changed in form or use.
- converter noun
- A device or person that changes something from one form to another.
Commonly confused: conversion or conversation? conversion or conversely?
conversion vs conversation
A talk between people; 'conversion' is a change. They sound similar but have completely different meanings.
conversion vs conversely
An adverb meaning 'in the opposite way'; 'conversion' is a noun meaning a change.
Practice
The ______ of the barn into a house took six months.
Choose one answer.
'Conversion' is the noun meaning the process of changing something into another form or use. 'Convert' is a verb and would need a different sentence structure.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “conversion”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.