metamorphosis

noun

meta·mor·pho·sis ˌme-tə-ˈmȯr-fə-səs

plural metamorphoses ˌme-tə-ˈmȯr-fə-ˌsēz

Synonyms of metamorphosis next

: change of physical form, structure, or substance especially by supernatural means

the metamorphosis of humans into animals

: a striking alteration in appearance, character, or circumstances

The company has gone through a series of metamorphoses.

: a typically marked and more or less abrupt developmental change in the form or structure of an animal (such as a butterfly or a frog) occurring subsequent to birth or hatching

the metamorphosis of caterpillars into butterflies

Did you know?

Many ancient myths end in a metamorphosis. As Apollo is chasing the nymph Daphne, she calls on her river-god father for help and he turns her into a laurel tree to save her. Out of anger and jealousy, the goddess Athena turns the marvelous weaver Arachne into a spider that will spin only beautiful webs. But natural substances may also metamorphose, or undergo metamorphosis. Heat and pressure over thousands of years may eventually turn tiny organisms into petroleum, and coal into diamonds. And the most beloved of natural metamorphoses (notice how this plural is formed) is probably the transformation of caterpillars into butterflies.

Examples of metamorphosis in a Sentence

We have watched her metamorphosis from a shy schoolgirl into a self-confident businesswoman. a company that has gone through a series of metamorphoses The government has undergone political metamorphosis since his election. the metamorphosis of tadpoles into frogs The class learned about how caterpillars undergo metamorphosis to become butterflies.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

This suggests that the tadpole was in its late stage of metamorphosis. —

Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 30 Oct. 2024 The legendary transformation scene, featuring Oscar-winning effects by Rick Baker, still stands as the gold standard for practical werewolf metamorphosis. —

Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2024 Both of these certainly contribute to Bloom’s metamorphosis, as his cauliflower ear and the nicks in his buzz-cut hair and above his eyebrow tell their own story about the punishment he’s taken. —

Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 8 Sep. 2024 Self-mastery is the journey—a metamorphosis that awakens the dormant potential within. —

Bronwen Sciortino, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for metamorphosis

Word History

Etymology

Middle English Methamorphoseos, as the title of Ovid's poem or its contents, borrowed from Latin Metamorphōsēs, as the title of Ovid's poem, literally, "Transformations" (Late Latin metamorphōsis "transfiguration, change into another form"), borrowed from Greek metamórphōsis (from 1st century A.D.) "transformation," from metamorphō-, variant stem of metamorphóō, metamorphoûn "to transform" (earlier in New Testament metamorphoûsthai "to be transfigured") (from meta- meta- + morphóō, morphoûn "to give a form to," derivative of morphḗ "physical or visible form, appearance," of uncertain origin) + -sis -sis

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler

The first known use of metamorphosis was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Metamorphosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metamorphosis. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.

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Kids Definition

metamorphosis

noun

meta·mor·pho·sis ˌmet-ə-ˈmȯr-fə-səs

plural metamorphoses -fə-ˌsēz

: a change of form, structure, or substance especially by witchcraft or magic

: an extraordinary change in appearance, character, or circumstances

: the process of basic and usually rather sudden change in the form and habits of some animals during transformation from an immature stage (as a tadpole or a caterpillar) to an adult stage (as a frog or a butterfly) compare complete metamorphosis, incomplete metamorphosis

Medical Definition

metamorphosis

noun

meta·mor·pho·sis ˌmet-ə-ˈmȯr-fə-səs

plural metamorphoses -ˌsēz

: change of physical form, structure, or substance

: a marked and more or less abrupt developmental change in the form or structure of an animal (as a butterfly or a frog) occurring subsequent to birth or hatching

Last Updated: 21 Dec 2024 - Updated example sentences

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metamorphosis

noun

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Synonyms

Examples of metamorphosis in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near metamorphosis

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition