The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word MORPH
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
M
O
R
P
H
More clues leading to the result MORPH
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Transform" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case transform = morph.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does MORPH mean?
MORPH noun- (grammar) A physical form representing some morpheme in language. It is a recurrent distinctive sound or sequence of sounds.
- An allomorph: one of a set of realizations that a morpheme can have in different contexts.
- Local variety of a species, distinguishable from other populations of the species by morphology or behaviour.
- A computer-generated gradual change from one image to another.
- To change shape, from one form to another, through computer animation.
- (of fantastic beings in science fiction or fantasy) To shapeshift.
- To undergo dramatic change in a seamless and barely noticeable fashion.