metamorphosis

noun

meta·​mor·​pho·​sis ˌme-tə-ˈmȯr-fə-səs How to pronounce metamorphosis (audio)
plural metamorphoses ˌme-tə-ˈmȯr-fə-ˌsēz How to pronounce metamorphosis (audio)
Synonyms of metamorphosisnext
1
a
: change of physical form, structure, or substance especially by supernatural means
the metamorphosis of humans into animals
b
: a striking alteration in appearance, character, or circumstances
The company has gone through a series of metamorphoses.
2
: 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.

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

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 In its metamorphosis, the company had all but shed its image as a lagging PC maker, refashioning itself as an enterprise infrastructure giant. —Michal Lev-Ram, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2024 The building became San Anselmo’s first movie theater in 1914 and later, a series of businesses — drugstores, a lounge, an office — before its final metamorphosis. —Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for metamorphosis 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'metamorphosis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek metamorphōsis, from metamorphoun to transform, from meta- + morphē form

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

Dictionary Entries Near metamorphosis

metamorphose

metamorphosis

metamorphotic

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Metamorphosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metamorphosis. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

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Kids Definition

metamorphosis

noun
meta·​mor·​pho·​sis ˌmet-ə-ˈmȯr-fə-səs How to pronounce metamorphosis (audio)
plural metamorphoses -fə-ˌsēz How to pronounce metamorphosis (audio)
1
: a change of form, structure, or substance especially by witchcraft or magic
2
: an extraordinary change in appearance, character, or circumstances
3
: 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 How to pronounce metamorphosis (audio)
plural metamorphoses -ˌsēz How to pronounce metamorphosis (audio)
1
: change of physical form, structure, or substance
2
: 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: - Updated example sentences
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