metamorphosis

noun meta·mor·pho·sis \ ˌme-tə-ˈmȯr-fə-səs \

|Updated on: 20 Aug 2018

Examples: metamorphosis in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

Definition of metamorphosis

plural metamorphoses play \-ˌsēz\

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

See metamorphosis defined for English-language learners

See metamorphosis defined for kids

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 of metamorphosis from the Web

The models traded in their signature chest-grazing manes for directional bobs, and each metamorphosis instantaneously marked a new chapter in their careers.

— lauren valenti, Vogue, "7 Mesmerizing Beauty Lessons That Dominated Paris Fashion Week," 7 Mar. 2018
But this continual metamorphosis also creates a sense of nostalgia.

— andrew webster, The Verge, "Octopath Traveler is a modern take on classic Final Fantasy on the Nintendo Switch," 12 July 2018
Durant, too, has been transformed by his new circumstances, though his metamorphosis has been far less linear, far murkier.

— nathaniel friedman, GQ, "Kevin Durant Is in a Tricky Spot," 9 June 2018
Conservatory President David Stull noted the school’s metamorphosis into a global music center and professional training ground.

— catherine bigelow, San Francisco Chronicle, "Conservatory of Music celebrates centennial by raising $1 million," 27 Mar. 2018
Golden State did a lot of losing big in 2008-12 as a step to its massive metamorphosis.

— greg cote, miamiherald, "Here's how Miami Heat got stuck in NBA purgatory. Now, can Pat Riley find a way out?," 22 June 2018
The metamorphosis of milquetoast Neil Gorsuch has baffled people who’ve followed him for years.

— james hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: Romney threads the needle on Trump in Utah Senate debate," 30 May 2018
Meet Cort Dennison: Oregon Ducks outside linebackers coach EUGENE -- Cort Dennison's metamorphosis from ex-Washington Huskies standout to new Oregon Ducks assistant coach doesn't come with the intrigue of a spy thriller.

— ron richmond for the oregonian/oregonlive, OregonLive.com, "His Dawg days behind him, assistant coach Cort Dennison enjoying 'us mentality' with Oregon Ducks," 12 Apr. 2018
Fairchild also has a butterfly conservatory, housed in the Paul and Swanee DiMare Science Village, which includes a metamorphosis laboratory where visitors can watch butterflies emerge from their chrysalises.

— New York Times, "6 Great Gardens to Visit in Florida," 16 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'metamorphosis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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.

Origin and Etymology of metamorphosis

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

metamorphosis Synonyms

Synonyms

changeover, conversion, transfiguration, transformation;

Related Words

shift, transition;

adjustment, alteration, modification;

reconstruction, reconversion, redo, redoing, refashioning, reformation, remaking, remodeling, revamping, revision, reworking, variation;

deformation, disfigurement, distortion, mutation, transmutation;

displacement, replacement, substitution, supplantation;

Other Insect Terms

drone, entomology, gadfly, pismire, proboscis, vespine

METAMORPHOSIS Defined for English Language Learners

metamorphosis

noun

Definition of metamorphosis for English Language Learners

: a major change in the appearance or character of someone or something
biology : a major change in the form or structure of some animals or insects that happens as the animal or insect becomes an adult

METAMORPHOSIS Defined for Kids

metamorphosis

noun meta·mor·pho·sis \ ˌme-tə-ˈmȯr-fə-səs \

Definition of metamorphosis for Students

plural metamorphoses \-fə-ˌsēz\

1 : a great change in appearance or character

2 : the process of great and usually rather sudden change in the form and habits of some animals during transformation from an immature stage (as a caterpillar) to an adult stage (as a butterfly)

Medical Dictionary

metamorphosis

noun meta·mor·pho·sis \ ˌmet-ə-ˈmȯr-fə-səs \

medical Definition of metamorphosis

plural metamorphoses play \-ˌsēz\

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