metamorphosis

noun

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

plural metamorphoses\ ˌme-tə-ˈmȯr-fə-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

With an election looming, and the Labour opposition captured by an equally radical hard-left, theTories’ sinister metamorphosis is terrible news. — The Economist, "Boris Johnson’s Unconservative Party," 7 Sep. 2019 Since then, the second worm has spun and is safe inside his new brown home, and the third one is going to my youngest granddaughters’ classroom, so more kids can experience the miracle of metamorphosis. — Lois Szymanski, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Szymanski: The miracle of metamorphosis another of Mother Nature’s lessons," 1 Sep. 2019 After three weeks of metamorphosis, the moths were about to mate and lay eggs — a stage of the life cycle that coincided with the end of school. — Vanessa Hua, SFChronicle.com, "The wonder of silkworms, past and present," 5 July 2019 The industry was at the tail end of a lengthy metamorphosis. — Russell Gold, WSJ, "Building the Wind Turbines Was Easy. The Hard Part Was Plugging Them In," 22 June 2019 The scientists behind the new report, by contrast, timed their survey to coincide with the period of metamorphosis when young salamanders transition from aquatic to terrestrial environments, which happens in late summer and early fall. — Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, "Pitcher Plants Have Been Quietly Snacking on Baby Salamanders," 17 June 2019 Another day, another hair metamorphosis for Cara Delevingne. — Calin Van Paris, Vogue, "Cara Delevingne Brings Back the Platinum Pixie for Spring," 30 Mar. 2018 What makes Midsommar a triumph, though, is Dani’s metamorphosis from a sullen, shell-shocked out-of-towner to … something entirely different. — David Sims, The Atlantic, "Ari Aster’s Midsommar Is a Sun-Drenched Horror Triumph," 2 July 2019 Tox causes a variety of metamorphoses: scales, second spines, hair made of light. — Nina Maclaughlin, BostonGlobe.com, "A riveting survival story; a whaler turned slave trader," 25 July 2019

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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Dictionary Entries near metamorphosis

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Last Updated

15 Oct 2019

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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