metamorphosis

noun

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

plural metamorphoses\ -ˌsēz

Definition of metamorphosis

1a : 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

Synonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about metamorphosis

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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

One of the most striking signs of Budapest’s revival since the Cold War has been the metamorphosis of the former Jewish ghetto, in the heart of Pest. — András Szántó, Condé Nast Traveler, "Why Budapest Is Europe's Unlikely Capital of Hedonism," 29 Aug. 2018 There's a butterfly on the back of Dolly Parton's tour bus in a photograph taken September 1, 1977, while on tour in Detroit—a telling symbol of the country singer's metamorphosis at the time. — Maria Carter, Country Living, "TIME Just Released This Vintage Dolly Parton Interview, and It's Pure Country Gold," 19 Jan. 2016 Fey's metamorphosis from frumpy SNL writer to superfunnysmart knockout is one of the great reveals in modern pop culture. — Mary Kaye Schilling, Town & Country, "Tina Fey Goes To War," 1 Mar. 2016 This small, intensely crossed section of the border has been in a state of metamorphosis for several years with the upgrade and expansion of the San Ysidro Port of Entry. — Sandra Dibble, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Study sees two countries, one neighborhood at the U.S.-Mexico border," 11 June 2018 Their metamorphoses are achieved with little excessive flourish. — Ben Brantley, New York Times, "Review: ‘The Lehman Trilogy’ Is a Transfixing Epic of Riches and Ruin," 13 July 2018 Kennedy's metamorphosis was most apparent this month. — Richard Wolf, USA TODAY, "Supreme Court's conservatives mark return to power with major rulings, minor punts," 27 June 2018 When the stuff resembles a bread sponge, Gurvin shifts to powerful kneading until finally the metamorphosis is complete — the once soupy mixture is now a pale 35-pound mass of sesame halvah, one of the world's most ancient confections. — Amelia Saltsman, latimes.com, "The addictive joy of the sesame confection halvah, made in Los Angeles," 16 Mar. 2018 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

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.

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Last Updated

10 Dec 2018

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Time Traveler for metamorphosis

The first known use of metamorphosis was in the 15th century

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More Definitions for metamorphosis

metamorphosis

noun

English Language Learners Definition of metamorphosis

: 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

See the full definition for metamorphosis in the English Language Learners Dictionary

metamorphosis

noun

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

plural metamorphoses\ -fə-ˌsēz \

Kids Definition of metamorphosis

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)

metamorphosis

noun

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

plural metamorphoses\ -ˌsēz

Medical Definition of metamorphosis

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