convert

con|vert¹ W3 [kənˈvə:t US -ˈvə:rt] v

[Date: 1200-1300; : Old French; Origin: convertir, from Latin convertere 'to turn around, convert', from com- ( COM-) + vertere 'to turn']

1.)

a) [T]

to change something into a different form of thing, or to change something so that it can be used for a different purpose or in a different way

convert sth to/into sth

▪ They converted the spare bedroom into an office.

▪ The stocks can be easily converted to cash.

▪ a 19th century converted barn (=barn changed into a house)

b)

to change into a different form of thing, or change into something that can be used for a different purpose or in a different way

convert to/into

▪ a sofa that converts into a bed

▪ In the process, the light energy converts to heat energy.

2.)

a) [T]

to persuade someone to change to a different religion

convert sb to sth

▪ European missionaries converted thousands to Christianity.

b) [I]

to change to a different religion

convert to

▪ She converted to Catholicism.

3.)

a) [I]

to change to a different set of ideas, principles, or ways of doing something

convert to

▪ people who have recently converted to vegetarianism

b) [T]

to persuade someone to change to a different set of ideas, principles, or ways of doing something

convert sb to sth

▪ She succeeded in converting me to her point of view.

newly/freshly converted

▪ newly converted feminists

4.) [I and T]

to make a conversion in ↑rugby or ↑American football

→preach to the converted [i]at ↑preach

convert ²

con|vert² [ˈkɔnvə:t US ˈka:nvə:rt] n

someone who has been persuaded to change their beliefs and accept a particular religion or opinion

convert to

▪ a convert to Christianity

▪ recent converts to the cause