Transformation

How to spell transformation

14 letters · 4 syllables

How to pronounce transformation

Say the part in capitals loudest.

What does transformation mean?

1. nounA thorough or dramatic change in form, appearance, character, or condition.

Transformation in a sentence

• The renovation produced a complete transformation of the kitchen.

• The company underwent a digital transformation over three years.

Where does transformation come from?

Language of origin: Latin

This word descends from the Latin transformatio, a noun built on the verb transformare, which combined trans, meaning 'across' or 'over', with formare, meaning 'to shape', from forma, 'a shape or form'. The literal idea was a 'shaping across', that is, changing one shape into another. English took the word in during the late 1300s, partly through Old French transformation, and it was used early on for both physical changes and changes of character or condition. The same forma root sits inside familiar relatives such as 'reform', 'inform' and 'uniform', all of which involve shape or shaping. For spelling, it helps to see the three honest pieces, trans, form and ation, because the word is built logically and contains no silent traps once you break it apart.

How the word is built

• trans- (across, change)
• form (shape)
• -ation (noun of action)