Meaning & use
convert
Last updated
Meanings
verbtransitive
To change something so that it takes a different form, has a different use, or is expressed in a different system.
Grammar: Takes an object, often with into or to: convert the garage into an office.
Patterns
- convert something into something
- convert something to something
- convert something from something to something
They plan to convert the old barn into a family home.
Please convert these kilometres to miles for the American readers.
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verbtransitive or intransitive
To persuade someone to adopt a different religion, belief or way of doing things, or to take up such a change yourself.
Grammar: With an object, someone is persuaded: convert him. Without one, you change yourself: she converted to Islam.
Patterns
- convert someone to something
- convert to something
Her speech converted many sceptics to the cause of recycling.
He converted to Buddhism after a trip to Thailand.
The missionaries hoped to convert the villagers.
verbtransitivesport
In sports such as rugby, to score extra points by kicking the ball over the bar after a try, or to turn a chance into a goal.
Grammar: Takes an object such as a try, a penalty or a chance.
Patterns
- convert a try/penalty/chance
The fly-half calmly converted the try from the touchline.
The striker failed to convert an easy chance.
Only one of the three penalties was converted.
nouncountable
A person who has taken up a new religion, belief or opinion after holding a different one.
Grammar: Usually followed by to: a convert to vegetarianism.
Patterns
- a convert to something
She is a recent convert to cycling and now rides to work daily.
The church welcomed several new converts last year.
As a convert, he was keen to learn every tradition.
Word forms
| third person singular | converts |
|---|---|
| past tense | converted |
| past participle | converted |
| -ing form | converting |
| plural noun | converts |
Common combinations
- convert into
- The factory converts waste heat into electricity.
- convert to Christianity
- The king converted to Christianity in the seventh century.
- convert currency
- You can convert currency at the airport, though the rate is poor.
- convert a loft
- We decided to convert the loft into a spare bedroom.
- convert a try
- The captain converted the try to put his team ahead.
Synonyms and how they differ
- transform
- Transform suggests a deep or dramatic change in character, while convert often means switching to a specific different form or use.
- change
- Change is the general everyday word and does not carry convert's idea of moving from one defined state, unit or system to another.
- adapt
- Adapt means adjusting something to suit new conditions, whereas convert implies it ends up as something different.
- win over
- Win over is informal and only applies to people, with the sense of gaining their support rather than changing their religion.
Opposites
Word family
- conversion noun
- the act or result of changing form, use or belief
- converter noun
- a device or person that changes one thing into another
- convertible adjective
- able to be changed, as in a convertible currency
- convertibility noun
- the quality of being exchangeable or changeable
- unconverted adjective
- not changed or persuaded
Commonly confused: convert or covert?
convert vs covert
Covert (adjective, pronounced KOH-vert or KUV-ert) means secret, and it is unrelated to the verb convert despite the similar spelling.
Practice
The old church was ___ into apartments last year.
Choose one answer.
Converted into means changed to a new use. Conserved means protected and kept as it was, which would not give apartments, and covered and contained do not take into.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “convert”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.