polymorphous
adjective
poly·mor·phous
ˌpä-lē-ˈmȯr-fəs 
: having, assuming, or occurring in various forms, characters, or styles : polymorphic
a polymorphous rash
polymorphous sexuality
polymorphously
adverb
Examples of polymorphous in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Moreover, there are specific skin reactions that can happen during early summer with the first exposure to ultraviolet radiation, such as polymorphous light eruption (or PMLE), a reaction of sun sensitivity that happens when our skin is not exposed to the sun for long periods of time.
—
Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 11 June 2024
Goddesses take pleasure in themselves, and a wonderful polymorphous sexuality underlies it all.
—Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 8 Mar. 2024
The songs had accreted parts over decades, with material from Gabriel’s longtime band; from the polymorphous musician Brian Eno; from Swedish and South African choirs; from orchestral arrangements; and from Gabriel’s library of samples and sessions.
—Jon Pareles, New York Times, 30 Nov. 2023
On her canvases, polymorphous, shape-shifting figures collide and intertwine; heads multiply; limbs get entangled with each other.
—Kin Woo, New York Times, 5 July 2023
In the late 1970s Mueller traded on her midnight-movie stardom to become a leading light of New York’s downtown scene at the height of its polymorphous perversity.
—Negar Azimi, The New York Review of Books, 30 Mar. 2023
Along with enduring anxious nights underground during aerial warfare, each is shown in his own way to have drawn on more transcendent themes, namely the chthonic mysteries of the English landscape and the polymorphous eroticism of the nude human body.
—Richard B. Woodward, WSJ, 3 Dec. 2022
Viewed today, the show’s quirky communitarianism — its idea of America as a polymorphous, all-welcoming dance party — feels like both celebration and requiem for the irreplaceable delight dancing together on a stage.
—James Poniewozik, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2020
Generally left-leaning people whose politics were either amorphous or polymorphous appropriated the adjective, too.
—Win McCormack, The New Republic, 25 Sep. 2020
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 11 June 2024
Goddesses take pleasure in themselves, and a wonderful polymorphous sexuality underlies it all.
—Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 8 Mar. 2024
The songs had accreted parts over decades, with material from Gabriel’s longtime band; from the polymorphous musician Brian Eno; from Swedish and South African choirs; from orchestral arrangements; and from Gabriel’s library of samples and sessions.
—Jon Pareles, New York Times, 30 Nov. 2023
On her canvases, polymorphous, shape-shifting figures collide and intertwine; heads multiply; limbs get entangled with each other.
—Kin Woo, New York Times, 5 July 2023
In the late 1970s Mueller traded on her midnight-movie stardom to become a leading light of New York’s downtown scene at the height of its polymorphous perversity.
—Negar Azimi, The New York Review of Books, 30 Mar. 2023
Along with enduring anxious nights underground during aerial warfare, each is shown in his own way to have drawn on more transcendent themes, namely the chthonic mysteries of the English landscape and the polymorphous eroticism of the nude human body.
—Richard B. Woodward, WSJ, 3 Dec. 2022
Viewed today, the show’s quirky communitarianism — its idea of America as a polymorphous, all-welcoming dance party — feels like both celebration and requiem for the irreplaceable delight dancing together on a stage.
—James Poniewozik, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2020
Generally left-leaning people whose politics were either amorphous or polymorphous appropriated the adjective, too.
—Win McCormack, The New Republic, 25 Sep. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Polymorphous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polymorphous. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
polymorphous
adjective
poly·mor·phous
-ˈmȯr-fəs
: having, assuming, or occurring in various forms : polymorphic
polymorphous skin rashes
polymorphously
adverb
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share