converter
/kənˈvɜːtə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /kənˈvɜːrtər/ (ame, ipa) · /kən-ˈvər-tər/ (ame, mw)
converter — noun
- convertersingular
- convertersplural
1. A person, device, or machine that changes something from one form, use, or state
A person, device, or machine that changes something from one form, use, or state into a different one.
The old factory installed a new converter to turn waste heat into electricity for the workshop.
converter + into [transformation pattern]
Tom downloaded a currency converter on his phone before flying to Seoul for the conference.
compound noun: currency converter
A catalytic converter on a car changes harmful gases into less dangerous substances before they leave the exhaust pipe.
The kitchen assistant used a small converter to turn the oven temperature from Celsius to Fahrenheit.
- transformer
Specifically changes electrical voltage or current; narrower and more technical than converter.
- adapter
Makes things compatible without necessarily changing their fundamental form; often a physical plug or software bridge.
- modifier
Changes something slightly or conditionally, rather than transforming it entirely.
用法筆記
Often used in compound nouns where the first word specifies what is being converted (e.g. currency converter, catalytic converter).
常見錯誤
2. A device that changes electrical energy from one form to another, for example fr
A device that changes electrical energy from one form to another, for example from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) or the opposite.
The technician connected the power converter so the solar panels could supply electricity to the entire house.
compound noun: power converter
A voltage converter is necessary when using American appliances in countries with a different power supply voltage.
voltage converter + necessary when + purpose
The engineer replaced the old AC-to-DC converter with a more efficient model that wasted less energy as heat.
Wei bought a travel converter that works in both Europe and North America for charging his laptop and camera.
用法筆記
Distinguish from 'transformer' — a transformer changes voltage levels only, while a converter changes the type of current (AC↔DC). Frequently used with the preposition 'from...to...'.
常見錯誤
3. A device that changes a radio, television, or other broadcast signal from one fr
A device that changes a radio, television, or other broadcast signal from one frequency or format to another so that a receiver can display or play it.
The broadcast station installed a new signal converter to change the transmission frequency for the local radio channel.
signal converter + frequency change
Many families bought a digital converter box when the government switched all TV broadcasts from analog to digital signals.
compound noun: digital converter box
A frequency converter lets the old shortwave radio pick up weather reports from stations in Southeast Asia.
The repair shop fitted a converter onto the satellite dish so it could receive channels from a different orbital position.
- set-top box
A broader term for a device that receives and decodes TV signals; a converter is one type of set-top box.
- downconverter
Specifically shifts a signal from a higher frequency to a lower one; a type of converter used in satellite systems.
用法筆記
Common in the context of TV and radio technology. The phrase 'digital converter box' was widely used during the transition from analog to digital broadcasting in many countries.
常見錯誤
4. A software program or hardware device that changes data from one file format or
A software program or hardware device that changes data from one file format or encoding system into another so that different applications can use it.
The IT team used a video converter to change MP4 training clips to AVI for the editing software.
video converter + format change
A PDF converter lets you turn Word documents into files that anyone can open without special editing software installed.
compound noun: PDF converter
The photographer used a batch file converter to resize and rename all two hundred images at once before uploading them.
Free online converters often add watermarks to your files unless you pay for the premium version of the service.
- transcoder
Specifically changes data from one encoding or compression format to another; common in video and audio contexts.
- ripper
Extracts and converts media content from a disc or stream into a file format; a type of converter with a specific use case.
用法筆記
Often followed by 'from...to...' to specify the source and target formats. The term can refer to both standalone software and online web-based tools. 'Batch converter' handles multiple files at once.