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

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

In the heart of Detroit's North End, Parks Old Style Bar-B-Q has borne witness to the neighborhood’s metamorphosis. —

Lyndsay C. Green, Detroit Free Press, 14 Sep. 2024 Though little more is revealed of Two-Face, Phillips says the audience is meant to view the moment as Dent's metamorphosis into the character. —

EW.com, 5 Oct. 2024 The horrifying metamorphosis finds Elisabeth becoming the decaying mutation called Gollum and both of them transforming into the hideous Monstro. —

Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2024 Leaves generally begin their color metamorphosis in mid-September and reach peak vibrancy in early to mid-October. —

Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 20 Sep. 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 9 Nov. 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: 3 Nov 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