Standard Lemma guide

transpose

adj · noun · verb · 20 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

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • UK: /tɹænsˈpəʊz/
  • UK: /tɹɑːnsˈpəʊz/
  • US: /tɹænsˈpoʊz/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -əʊz
  • US: trănz'pōz
  • US: /ˈtɹænzpoʊz/
  • UK: träns'pōz
  • UK: /ˈtɹɑːnspəʊz/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • CMU ARPABET: T R AE0 N S P OW1 Z Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Created by transposing a specified matrix.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Topics: linear-algebra, mathematics, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Created by transposing a specified graph.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Topics: graph-theory, mathematics, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

The matrix derived from performing a transpose operation on a given matrix.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: linear-algebra, mathematics, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

A graph whose every edge has had its direction reversed.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: graph-theory, mathematics, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: converse, reverse

Antonyms: none provided

5

noun

Meaning 5

The process of rearranging elements in a matrix, by interchanging their respective row and column positional indicators.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: linear-algebra, mathematics, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

verb

Meaning 6

To reverse or change the order of (two or more things); to swap or interchange.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

7

verb

Meaning 7

To rewrite or perform (a piece) in another key.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, music

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

8

verb

Meaning 8

To move (a term) from one side of an algebraic equation to the other, reversing the sign of the term.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Topics: algebra, mathematics, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: reduce, cancel

Antonyms: none provided

9

verb

Meaning 9

To rearrange elements in a matrix, by interchanging their respective row and column positional indicators.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Topics: linear-algebra, mathematics, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

10

verb

Meaning 10

To reverse the direction of every edge of (a graph).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Topics: graph-theory, mathematics, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

11

verb

Meaning 11

To give force to a directive by passing appropriate implementation measures.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Topics: law

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

12

verb

Meaning 12

To reach a position that may also be obtained from a different move order.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Topics: board-games, chess, games

Examples

  • After e6, the opening transposed to a Sicilian.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

13

noun

Meaning 13

a matrix formed by interchanging the rows and columns of a given matrix

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: matrix

14

verb

Meaning 14

cause to change places

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • interchange this screw for one of a smaller size

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: counterchange, interchange

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: change, alter, modify

15

verb

Meaning 15

change the order or arrangement of

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Dyslexics often transpose letters in a word

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: permute, commute

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: change by reversal, turn, reverse

Narrower terms: map, represent

16

verb

Meaning 16

change key

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Can you transpose this fugue into G major?

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: change, alter, modify

17

verb

Meaning 17

exchange positions without a change in value

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • These operators commute with each other

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: commute

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: change

18

verb

Meaning 18

transfer from one place or period to another

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The ancient Greek story was transplanted into Modern America

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: transfer, transplant

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: shift

19

verb

Meaning 19

put (a piece of music) into another key

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: arrange, set

20

verb

Meaning 20

transfer a quantity from one side of an equation to the other side reversing its sign, in order to maintain equality

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: transfer, shift

History

Etymology

From Middle English transposen, from Old French transposer, from Latin trānspositus, perfect passive participle of trānspōnō (“to put across”), from trāns (“across”) + pōnō (“to put”).

From the verb.

Across languages

Translations

77 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Esperanto: transpono — matrix
  • Finnish: transpoosi — matrix
  • French: transposée — matrix
  • French: matrice transposée — matrix
  • German: Transponierte — matrix
  • Icelandic: bylta — matrix
  • Icelandic: bylt fylki — matrix
  • Italian: trasposizione — matrix
  • Spanish: matriz traspuesta — matrix
  • Swedish: transponat — matrix
  • Swedish: transponerad matris — matrix
  • Asturian: tresponer — to reverse or change the order of two
  • Bulgarian: разме́ствам (razméstvam) — to reverse or change the order of two
  • Dutch: verwisselen — to reverse or change the order of two
  • Dutch: omwisselen — to reverse or change the order of two
  • Finnish: vaihtaa paikkaa — to reverse or change the order of two
  • Finnish: sekoittaa keskenään — to reverse or change the order of two
  • French: transposer — to reverse or change the order of two
  • Galician: traspoñer — to reverse or change the order of two
  • Galician: traspór — to reverse or change the order of two
  • German: vertauschen — to reverse or change the order of two
  • German: umstellen — to reverse or change the order of two
  • German: die Reihenfolge ändern — to reverse or change the order of two
  • Greek: αναστρέφω (anastréfo) — to reverse or change the order of two
  • Greek: αντιμεταθέτω (antimetathéto) — to reverse or change the order of two
  • Hungarian: felcserél — to reverse or change the order of two
  • Hungarian: áthelyez — to reverse or change the order of two
  • Hungarian: áttesz — to reverse or change the order of two
  • Italian: scambiare — to reverse or change the order of two
  • Macedonian: сме́ни (sméni) — to reverse or change the order of two
  • Macedonian: про́мени (prómeni) — to reverse or change the order of two
  • Macedonian: пре́фрли (préfrli) — to reverse or change the order of two
  • Māori: wehe — to reverse or change the order of two
  • Māori: tau whakawhiti — to reverse or change the order of two
  • Portuguese: transpor — to reverse or change the order of two
  • Russian: переставля́ть (perestavljátʹ) — to reverse or change the order of two
  • Russian: переста́вить (perestávitʹ) — to reverse or change the order of two
  • Russian: переноси́ть (perenosítʹ) — to reverse or change the order of two
  • Russian: перенести́ (perenestí) — to reverse or change the order of two
  • Spanish: transponer — to reverse or change the order of two
  • Spanish: reversar — to reverse or change the order of two
  • Catalan: transportar — music: to write or perform (a piece) in another key
  • Czech: transponovat — music: to write or perform (a piece) in another key
  • Esperanto: transponi — music: to write or perform (a piece) in another key
  • Finnish: transponoida — music: to write or perform (a piece) in another key
  • German: transponieren — music: to write or perform (a piece) in another key
  • Greek: διασκευάζω (diaskevázo) — music: to write or perform (a piece) in another key
  • Hungarian: transzponál — music: to write or perform (a piece) in another key
  • Italian: trasporre — music: to write or perform (a piece) in another key
  • Macedonian: транспони́ра (transponíra) — music: to write or perform (a piece) in another key
  • Portuguese: transpor — music: to write or perform (a piece) in another key
  • Russian: транспони́ровать (transponírovatʹ) — music: to write or perform (a piece) in another key
  • Spanish: transportar — music: to write or perform (a piece) in another key
  • Swedish: transponera — music: to write or perform (a piece) in another key
  • Bulgarian: пренасям (prenasjam) — algebra: to move (a term) to the other side of an equation
  • Esperanto: transponi — algebra: to move (a term) to the other side of an equation
  • German: transponieren — algebra: to move (a term) to the other side of an equation
  • German: umstellen — algebra: to move (a term) to the other side of an equation
  • German: umformen — algebra: to move (a term) to the other side of an equation
  • Greek: αντιμεταθέτω (antimetathéto) — algebra: to move (a term) to the other side of an equation
  • Hungarian: rendez — algebra: to move (a term) to the other side of an equation
  • Italian: trasferire — algebra: to move (a term) to the other side of an equation
  • Macedonian: пре́несе (prénese) — algebra: to move (a term) to the other side of an equation
  • Māori: tauwhakawhiti — algebra: to move (a term) to the other side of an equation
  • Portuguese: passar — algebra: to move (a term) to the other side of an equation
  • Russian: переставля́ть (perestavljátʹ) — algebra: to move (a term) to the other side of an equation
  • Russian: переста́вить (perestávitʹ) — algebra: to move (a term) to the other side of an equation
  • Russian: переноси́ть (perenosítʹ) — algebra: to move (a term) to the other side of an equation
  • Russian: перенести́ (perenestí) — algebra: to move (a term) to the other side of an equation
  • Spanish: cambiar de miembro — algebra: to move (a term) to the other side of an equation
  • Spanish: transponer — algebra: to move (a term) to the other side of an equation
  • Czech: transponovat — mathematics: to rearrange elements in a matrix
  • Hungarian: transzponál — mathematics: to rearrange elements in a matrix
  • Italian: trasporre — mathematics: to rearrange elements in a matrix
  • Hungarian: átültet — law: to give force to a directive by passing appropriate implementation measures
  • Italian: attuare — law: to give force to a directive by passing appropriate implementation measures
  • Italian: implementare — law: to give force to a directive by passing appropriate implementation measures