transmute

verb

trans·​mute tran(t)s-ˈmyüt 

tranz-

transmuted; transmuting

transitive verb

1

: to change or alter in form, appearance, or nature and especially to a higher form

2

: to subject (something, such as an element) to transmutation

intransitive verb

: to undergo transmutation

transmutable

tran(t)s-ˈmyü-tə-bəl 

tranz-

adjective

Did you know?

Transmutation changes something over into something else. Thus, a writer may transmute his life into stories or novels, and an arranger might transmute a lively march tune into a quiet lullaby. In the "Myth of Er" at the end of Plato's Republic, for example, human souls are transmuted into the body and existence of their choice. Having learned from their last life what they do not want to be, many choose transmutation into something that seems better. A meek man chooses to be transmuted into a tyrant, a farmer into a dashing (but short-lived) warrior, and so on. But very few seem to have learned anything from their former life that would make their choice a real improvement.

Synonyms

• alchemize
• convert
• make over
• metamorphose
• transfigure
• transform
• transpose
• transubstantiate

Choose the Right Synonym for transmute

transform, metamorphose, transmute, convert, transmogrify, transfigure mean to change a thing into a different thing.

transform implies a major change in form, nature, or function.

transformed a small company into a corporate giant

metamorphose suggests an abrupt or startling change induced by or as if by magic or a supernatural power.

awkward girls metamorphosed into graceful ballerinas

transmute implies transforming into a higher element or thing.

attempted to transmute lead into gold

convert implies a change fitting something for a new or different use or function.

converted the study into a nursery

transmogrify suggests a strange or preposterous metamorphosis.

a story in which a frog is transmogrified into a prince

transfigure implies a change that exalts or glorifies.

joy transfigured her face

Examples of transmute in a Sentence

The stories of their lives were transmuted into works of fiction.

The former criminal had transmuted into a national hero.

Recent Examples on the Web

The nature of partisan politics guarantees that flawed political candidates will be transmuted by their champions into saintly men of destiny. —Charles C. W. Cooke, National Review, 2 Dec. 2024

Underwood explained that these new residents relocated to Detroit with the intention of buying into a neighborhood, not just a home, and underscored the stark contrast between tending a backyard garden and transmuting a vacant lot into a full-fledged farm or garden. —Lyndsay C. Green, Detroit Free Press, 27 Nov. 2024

Its focus on the relationship between a young person and a parent who’s been transmuted from human to animal form recalls the plots of Pixar’s Brave and Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Nov. 2024

When combined with corruption and persistently high unemployment, inequality is transmuted into inequity in people’s minds. —Branko Milanovic, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2011

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin transmutare, from trans- + mutare to change — more at mutable

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

transmute

verb

trans·​mute tran(t)s-ˈmyüt 

tranz-

transmuted; transmuting

1

: to change in kind, appearance, or value : convert

2

: to change into another substance or element : to undergo transmutation

Legal Definition

transmute

transitive verb

trans·​mute tranz-ˈmyüt, trans- 

transmuted; transmuting

: to convert or transform the type of ownership of (property) by transmutation

did not transmute the properties themselves into marital assets

—In re Siddens, 588 N.E.2d 321 (1992)