To save this word, you'll need to log in.
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
Keep scrolling for more
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.
See More
Recent Examples on the Web In just eleven months, the Top Ten underwent an extraordinary metamorphosis.
—
Shawn Tully, Fortune, "Want to understand why tech stocks are crashing? This metric explains it all," 9 Sep. 2020 The album is about my metamorphosis as a human and an artist.
—
Katie Bain, Billboard, "20 Questions With Joseph Capriati: Techno Veteran Checks In From Italian Hometown on Eve of Album Release," 3 Sep. 2020 Americans are watching this week the metamorphosis of a cornerstone of the presidential campaign.
—
Peter Marks, Washington Post, "This convention isn’t just efficient. It’s award-worthy television.," 20 Aug. 2020 Frogs appear in many of her pieces, representing metamorphosis and transformation.
—
Christine Fernando, The Indianapolis Star, "Why an Indianapolis artist is painting plague masks on toilet paper, pandemic-inspired art," 13 Aug. 2020 The idea that a murderer might be capable of undergoing the kind of social, emotional, and moral metamorphosis necessary to be worthy of love is a difficult concept for many people to grasp.
—
Patricia Leigh Brown, The Christian Science Monitor, "From life in prison to out on parole: One group easing the transition," 14 Aug. 2020 In insects that undergo incomplete metamorphosis, the larvae are called nymphs.
—
Liz Langley, National Geographic, "How a caterpillar becomes a butterfly: Metamorphosis, explained," 11 Aug. 2020 This metamorphosis is not for album sales, publicity or to be a role model.
—
Kayleigh Roberts, Marie Claire, "Meghan Markle Is Reportedly Doing Pilates with Adele in Los Angeles," 9 Aug. 2020 Jane and Petey may have been just on the cusp of this metamorphosis, the lion’s share of which occurred in the late T. rex teens, when the dinosaurs could gain almost five pounds per day.
—
Katherine J. Wu, Smithsonian Magazine, "Teenage T. Rex Fossils Reveal Haphazard Growth Spurts," 2 Jan. 2020
See MoreThese 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.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for metamorphosis
metamorphosis
nounEnglish 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
nounmeta·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
nounmeta·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
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on metamorphosis
What made you want to look up metamorphosis? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Homophone Quiz
- In order to judge how people felt, the senator's office hired a firm to take a
______.
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Share metamorphosis
Time Traveler for metamorphosis
The first known use of metamorphosis was in the 15th century
See more words from the same century