Definition

1. Verb:

   • To change something from one form, purpose, system, or belief to another: This is the core meaning of "convert." It implies a transformation into a different state, function, or type.
   • To change one's religious faith or political beliefs: Specifically, to adopt a new religion, doctrine, or set of principles.
   • In sports (American football, rugby, basketball): To successfully complete a play that earns extra points, such as kicking a goal after a touchdown or making a free throw.

2. Noun:

   • A person who has changed their religious faith or political beliefs: Someone who has adopted a new religion or set of convictions.

Usage and Examples

• Verb (Change form/function):

  • The company plans to convert the old factory into luxury apartments.
  • This app can convert your spoken words into text.
  • We need to convert these measurements from metric to imperial units.

• Verb (Change belief):

  • She converted to Islam after years of study.
  • The preacher hoped to convert the crowd with his passionate sermon.

• Verb (Sports):

  • The kicker converted the extra point, tying the game.
  • He converted a crucial free throw in the final seconds.

• Noun:

  • He was a convert to the environmental movement.
  • The church welcomed the new converts.

Advanced Usage

• "To convert someone to something": To persuade someone to adopt a new belief, opinion, or cause.

  • He tried to convert his friends to his way of thinking about politics.

• "Convert into": To change or transform something into something else. This is a very common collocation.

  • They decided to convert their savings into gold.

Variants and Related Words

• Conversion (n): The process or act of converting.

  • The conversion of the building took two years.
  • Her religious conversion was a profound experience.

• Convertible (adj/n): (Adjective) Able to be changed in form, function, or character. (Noun) A car with a folding roof.

  • The currency is convertible. (adj)
  • He drove a red convertible. (n)

Synonyms

• Transform: To change markedly in form or appearance.
• Change: To make or become different.
• Alter: To change or cause to change in character or composition.
• Proselytize (v, for belief change): To try to convert someone to one's own religious faith.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Convert over to: To switch completely from one system or thing to another.
  • The office converted over to a new software system last month.

Related Idioms

• Preaching to the converted: Trying to persuade people who already agree with you. (This idiom uses the noun form "converted" as a collective term for believers).
  • Telling this audience about climate change risks is just preaching to the converted.

Noun

1. a person who has been converted to another religious or political belief

Verb

1. change in nature, purpose, or function; undergo a chemical change
   • The substance converts to an acid
2. exchange a penalty for a less severe one
3. make (someone) agree, understand, or realize the truth or validity of something
   • He had finally convinced several customers of the advantages of his product
4. score (a spare)
5. complete successfully
   • score a penalty shot or free throw
6. score an extra point or points after touchdown by kicking the ball through the uprights or advancing the ball into the end zone
   • Smith converted and his team won
7. cause to adopt a new or different faith
   • The missionaries converted the Indian population
8. exchange or replace with another, usually of the same kind or category
   • Could you convert my dollars into pounds?
   • He changed his name
   • convert centimeters into inches
   • convert holdings into shares
9. change religious beliefs, or adopt a religious belief
   • She converted to Buddhism
10. change the nature, purpose, or function of something
    • convert lead into gold
    • convert hotels into jails
    • convert slaves to laborers
11. change from one system to another or to a new plan or policy
    • We converted from 220 to 110 Volt