mutates; mutated; mutating
1
biology
a
: to cause (a gene) to change and create an unusual characteristic in a plant or animal : to cause mutation in (a gene)
a disease that mutates genes in humans
a group of mutated genes
b
: to change and cause an unusual characteristic to develop in a plant or animal
The cells mutated.
2
: to change into something very different
Over time, her feelings mutated from hatred into love.
opera singers mutating into pop stars
Cite this Entry
“Mutate.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/mutate. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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