I. con ‧ vert 1 W3 AC /kənˈvɜːt $ -ˈvɜːrt/ BrE AmE verb
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: convertir , from Latin convertere 'to turn around, convert' , from com- ( ⇨ COM- ) + vertere 'to turn' ]
1 .
a) [transitive] to change something into a different form, or to change something so that it can be used for a different purpose or in a different way ⇨ convertible
convert something to/into something
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) [intransitive] to change into a different form, 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) [transitive] to persuade someone to change to a different religion
convert somebody to something
European missionaries converted thousands to Christianity.
b) [intransitive] to change to a different religion
convert to
She converted to Catholicism.
3 .
a) [intransitive] to change to a different set of ideas, principles, or ways of doing something
convert to
people who have recently converted to vegetarianism
b) [transitive] to persuade someone to change to a different set of ideas, principles, or ways of doing something
convert somebody to something
She succeeded in converting me to her point of view.
newly/freshly converted
newly converted feminists
4 . [intransitive and transitive] to make a conversion in ↑ rugby or ↑ American football
⇨ preach to the converted at ↑ preach (4)
II. con ‧ vert 2 /ˈkɒnvɜːt $ ˈkɑːnvɜːrt/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
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