text: conversion? what is the legal terms for this word a noun:  a civil wrong (tort) in which one converts another's property to his/her own use, which is a fancy way of saying "steals." conversion includes treating another's goods as one's own, holding onto such property which accidentally comes into the convertor's (taker's) hands, or purposely giving the impression the assets belong to him/her. this gives the true owner the right to sue for his/her own property or the value and loss of use of it, as well as going to law enforcement authorities since conversion usually includes the crime of theft.