Meaning & use
transfigured
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“transfigured” is a form of “transfigure”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitiveformalliterary
changed someone or something so much that they look completely different, often in a beautiful or spiritual way
Grammar: Usually passive: be transfigured by something. The active form is transfigure.
Patterns
- be transfigured by something
- transfigure something into something
The plain room was transfigured by candlelight into something magical.
His face was transfigured by joy when he heard the news.
The old factory was transfigured into a bright art gallery.
verbtransitivereligionformal
in the Bible, changed in appearance to show divine glory, especially referring to Jesus
Grammar: Often capitalized in religious writing: the Transfiguration.
Patterns
- be transfigured before someone
According to the Gospels, Jesus was transfigured on a high mountain.
The disciples saw him transfigured, his face shining like the sun.
Word forms
| base form | transfigure |
|---|---|
| third person singular | transfigures |
| past tense | transfigured |
| past participle | transfigured |
| -ing form | transfiguring |
Common combinations
- be transfigured by light
- The whole valley was transfigured by the light of the setting sun.
- transfigured into something
- The caterpillar was transfigured into a butterfly in the story.
- a transfigured face
- She looked at his transfigured face with wonder.
Synonyms and how they differ
- transformed
- More general and neutral; transfigured suggests a more beautiful or spiritual change.
- glorified
- Often religious; emphasizes being given glory or honor rather than simply changing appearance.
Word family
- transfiguration noun
- A complete change in appearance, especially a spiritual one.
- transfigure verb
- To change someone or something completely in appearance.
Commonly confused: transfigured or transfixed?
transfigured vs transfixed
Transfixed means unable to move because of surprise or fear; transfigured means changed in appearance.
Practice
Choose the sentence that uses 'transfigured' correctly.
Choose one answer.
Transfigured means changed in appearance, often beautifully. Option 1 uses 'transfixed' (unable to move), option 2 uses 'transfigured' for calculation, and option 3 is nonsense.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “transfigured”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.