Standard Lemma guide

transmute

verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /tɹænzˈmjuːt/
  • General-American: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To change or convert one thing to another, or from one state or form to another.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: ambitransitive

Examples

  • The alchemists tried to transmute base metals to gold.
  • Did the base metals transmute to gold?

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: transform, transmogrify, alchemise, convert, develop, draw, evolve, metamorphize, metamorphose, reconvert, shift, transfigurate, transfigure, transmute, transume, metamorphosize

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: alter, change

2

verb

Meaning 2

change in outward structure or looks

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • He transformed into a monster
  • The salesman metamorphosed into an ugly beetle

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: transform, metamorphose

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: change

Narrower terms: aurify, become, turn

3

verb

Meaning 3

alter the nature of (elements)

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: change, alter, modify

4

verb

Meaning 4

change or alter in form, appearance, or nature

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • This experience transformed her completely
  • She transformed the clay into a beautiful sculpture
  • transubstantiate one element into another

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: transform, transubstantiate

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: change, alter, modify

Narrower terms: transubstantiate, sorcerize, sorcerise, stalinize, stalinise, destalinize, destalinise, work, work on, process

History

Etymology

From Latin trānsmūtāre, from trans + mūtāre.

Across languages

Translations

15 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: превръщам (prevrǎštam) — transitive: to convert one thing into another
  • Catalan: transmutar — transitive: to convert one thing into another
  • Dutch: omvormen — transitive: to convert one thing into another
  • Finnish: muuttaa — transitive: to convert one thing into another
  • Finnish: muuttua — transitive: to convert one thing into another
  • French: transmuer — transitive: to convert one thing into another
  • German: verwandeln — transitive: to convert one thing into another
  • German: umwandeln — transitive: to convert one thing into another
  • Japanese: 変移 — transitive: to convert one thing into another
  • Māori: whakaahuakē — transitive: to convert one thing into another
  • Romanian: transmuta — transitive: to convert one thing into another
  • Spanish: transmutar — transitive: to convert one thing into another
  • Spanish: trasmutar — transitive: to convert one thing into another
  • Spanish: transmutarse — intransitive: to convert one thing into another
  • Spanish: trasmutarse — intransitive: to convert one thing into another