Transformer

See also: transformer

English

Etymology

From transformer (something that transforms).

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /tɹænsˈfɔɹmɚ/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /tɹænsˈfɔːmə/, /tɹɑːnsˈfɔːmə/
• Hyphenation: trans‧form‧er

Noun

Transformer (plural Transformers)

1. (toys) A toy in the Transformers toyline which has mechanical parts that allow it to be altered in appearance from its original form as a humanoid robot action figure to another form, usually a vehicle, depending on the toy.
2. (fiction) In the Transformers franchise, any of the alien humanoid robots that can mechanically alter their appearance, or "transform", into a vehicle, creature, or (rarely) a tool.
   • 2015, Steve Berry, The Patriot Threat: A Novel, page 304:

     “It's like a Transformer today,” Stamm said. “It appears as one thing, then becomes another.”

   • 2014, Barbara Brownie, Transforming Type: New Directions in Kinetic Typography, page 95:

     A Transformer may be both a robot and a plane, or a robot and a car, but not both simultaneously.

   • 2012, Patricia Wettig, F2M, page 46:

     Halloween? I dressed up as a Transformer. I dressed up as a Power Ranger. I was one of the Chipmunks for God's sake.

Alternative forms

• TFormer (shortening)
• Tformer (shortening)
• T-former (shortening)
• T-Former (shortening)
• tformer (shortening)
• t-former (shortening)

Anagrams

• retransform