mutate

verb

mu·​tate ˈmyü-ˌtāt  myü-ˈtāt 

mutated; mutating

intransitive verb

: to undergo mutation

transitive verb

: to cause to undergo mutation

mutative

ˈmyü-ˌtā-tiv  -tə-tiv 

adjective

Synonyms of mutate

• change
• vary
• shift

Examples of mutate in a Sentence

a disease that mutates genes in humans

a group of mutated genes

Over time, her feelings mutated from hatred into love.

opera singers mutating into pop stars

Recent Examples on the Web

Diversity and reinvention Just as American culture is continuously mutating, American music is constantly being reinvented. — Ted Olson, The Conversation, 2 July 2026

Virus strains may also mutate to spread less efficiently or become less deadly, meaning this outbreak may ultimately pose little threat to human health. — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026

The absolute best upgrade is the one that doesn't mutate into a month-long garage project. — Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 24 June 2026

The finding came from a study in which van der Weyden and other scientists across the world investigated cancer-causing genes in tumor samples of nearly 500 domestic cats -- specifically which genes were commonly mutated. — Kyle Melnick The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 21 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin mutatus, past participle of mutare

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for mutate

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

Kids Definition

mutate

verb

mu·​tate ˈmyü-ˌtāt 

mutated; mutating

: to undergo or cause to undergo mutation

Medical Definition

mutate

verb

mu·​tate ˈmyü-ˌtāt  myü-ˈ 

mutated; mutating

intransitive verb

: to undergo mutation

transitive verb

: to cause to undergo mutation

mutative

ˈmyü-ˌtāt-iv  ˈmyüt-ət- 

adjective