metamorphose

verb

meta·​mor·​phose ˌme-tə-ˈmȯr-ˌfōz 

-ˌfōs

metamorphosed; metamorphosing

transitive verb

1

a

: to change into a different physical form especially by supernatural means

b

: to change strikingly the appearance or character of : transform

2

: to cause (rock) to undergo metamorphism

intransitive verb

1

: to undergo metamorphosis

2

: to become transformed

Synonyms

• alchemize
• convert
• make over
• transfigure
• transform
• transmute
• transpose
• transubstantiate

Choose the Right Synonym for metamorphose

transform, metamorphose, transmute, convert, transmogrify, transfigure mean to change a thing into a different thing.

transform implies a major change in form, nature, or function.

transformed a small company into a corporate giant

metamorphose suggests an abrupt or startling change induced by or as if by magic or a supernatural power.

awkward girls metamorphosed into graceful ballerinas

transmute implies transforming into a higher element or thing.

attempted to transmute lead into gold

convert implies a change fitting something for a new or different use or function.

converted the study into a nursery

transmogrify suggests a strange or preposterous metamorphosis.

a story in which a frog is transmogrified into a prince

transfigure implies a change that exalts or glorifies.

joy transfigured her face

Examples of metamorphose in a Sentence

a science fiction story in which radiation metamorphoses people into giant bugs

Recent Examples on the Web

Every evening, a light and digital art program metamorphoses the club, which drips in tapestries, plush gold and green tones, and monumental mosaics of mythological creatures. —Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2025

Contrary to the Constitution’s separation of powers — a structural bill of rights to defend liberty and forestall tyranny — the president has metamorphosed since the Spanish-American War of 1898 into an extraconstitutional king. —Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 1 May 2025

From a single museum-hotel, an entire archipelago has metamorphosed into a comprehensive art destination. —Ryan Craggs, Travel + Leisure, 29 Apr. 2025

One such hotel is The Palace in Madrid, recently metamorphosed as a Luxury Collection Hotel after a two-year renovation. —Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably borrowed from Middle French metamorphoser, derivative of metamorphose metamorphosis

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

metamorphose

verb

meta·​mor·​phose ˌmet-ə-ˈmȯr-ˌfōz 

-ˌfōs

metamorphosed; metamorphosing

: to change or cause to change in form : go through metamorphosis

Medical Definition

metamorphose

intransitive verb

meta·​mor·​phose -ˌfōz, -ˌfōs 

metamorphosed; metamorphosing

: to undergo metamorphosis