protean

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adjective pro·te·an \ ˈprō-tē-ən , prō-ˈtē- \

Definition of protean

1 :of or resembling Proteus in having a varied nature or ability to assume different forms

2 :displaying great diversity or variety :versatile

See protean defined for English-language learners

See protean defined for kids

protean was our Word of the Day on 02/18/2017. Hear the podcast!

Examples of protean in a Sentence

a protean actor who is equally comfortable with light comedy and serious drama

Recent Examples of protean from the Web

Those who follow Mr. Vongerichten know the chef to be a protean shape-shifter.

— pete wells, New York Times, "Vegetables With Benefits at ABCV," 3 July 2017
Less than a decade old, this protean object has become the universal, all-but-indispensable mediator of everyday life.

— Longreads, "A Sociology of the Smartphone," 14 June 2017
He was often treated as an outsider artist for his protean interests, which included Indonesian gamelans, Esperanto and microtones.

— carolina a. miranda, latimes.com, "Essential Arts & Culture: Björk-apalooza, a master of theater, architecting L.A.'s newest museum," 19 May 2017
Performances and a traveling exhibit will focus on multiple aspects of his protean career.

— john von rhein, chicagotribune.com, "Karen Fishman bids MOB a gracious farewell after nearly 20 years as its respected chief exec," 9 May 2017
This goofball band from Austin bangs out sweaty, protean rock; the lead singer, James Petralli, sounds, disarmingly, a bit like Stevie Wonder meets the Allman Brothers.

— The New Yorker, "White Denim," 31 Mar. 2017
An esteemed soprano saxophonist and N.E.A. Jazz Master, Mr. Liebman, 70, has recently been working with Expansions, a spry, protean quintet.

— New York Times, "Pop, Rock and Jazz in NYC This Week," 16 Feb. 2017

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

Did You Know?

Proteus was the original master of disguise. According to Greek mythology, the grizzled old shepherd of Poseidon's sea creatures possessed the gift of prophecy but didn't like to share his knowledge. Proteus would escape those who wanted to question him by changing his shape. The only way to get a straight answer from him was to sneak up behind him during his midday nap and hold onto him (while he frantically changed from shape to shape) until he eventually revealed what he knew. The adjective "protean" describes anyone or anything that is as mutable and adaptable as the mythological shepherd.

First Known Use of protean

1594

protean Synonyms

Synonyms

adaptable, all-around (also all-round), versatile, universal

Related Words

general-purpose, mixed-use, multipurpose; well-rounded; able, ace, adept, experienced, expert, masterful, proficient, skilled, skillful; adjustable, alterable, changeable, elastic, flexible, fluid, malleable, modifiable, plastic, pliable, pliant, supple, variable

Near Antonyms

limited; amateur, inexperienced

Other Mythology and Folklore Terms

elysian, fay, muse, nimbus, phoenix

PROTEAN Defined for English Language Learners

protean

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adjective

Definition of protean for English Language Learners

: able to change into many different forms or able to do many different things

Medical Dictionary

protean

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adjective pro·te·an \ ˈprōt-ē-ən, prō-ˈtē- \

medical Definition of protean

:displaying great diversity or variety

a disease with protean clinical manifestations

protean

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noun pro·te·an \ ˈprōt-ē-ən \

medical Definition of protean

:any of various insoluble primary protein derivatives that result from a slight modification of the protein molecule especially by the action of water, very dilute acids, or enzymes