Definition of METAMORPHOSIS (original) (raw)
1
a
: 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
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.
Synonyms
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
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.
In theory, the tale of a flawed dynamic woman denied the very human concept of change and metamorphosis is potent dramatic fodder, and Zaki’s approach yields remarkable moments in isolation. —
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 30 Dec. 2024 This suggests that the tadpole was in its late stage of metamorphosis. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 30 Oct. 2024 The legendary transformation scene, featuring Oscar-winning effects by Rick Baker, still stands as the gold standard for practical werewolf metamorphosis. —Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2024 Both of these certainly contribute to Bloom’s metamorphosis, as his cauliflower ear and the nicks in his buzz-cut hair and above his eyebrow tell their own story about the punishment he’s taken. —Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 8 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for metamorphosis 
Word History
Etymology
Middle English Methamorphoseos, as the title of Ovid's poem or its contents, borrowed from Latin Metamorphōsēs, as the title of Ovid's poem, literally, "Transformations" (Late Latin metamorphōsis "transfiguration, change into another form"), borrowed from Greek metamórphōsis (from 1st century A.D.) "transformation," from metamorphō-, variant stem of metamorphóō, metamorphoûn "to transform" (earlier in New Testament metamorphoûsthai "to be transfigured") (from meta- meta- + morphóō, morphoûn "to give a form to," derivative of morphḗ "physical or visible form, appearance," of uncertain origin) + -sis -sis
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of metamorphosis was in the 15th century
Dictionary Entries Near metamorphosis
Cite this Entry
“Metamorphosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metamorphosis. Accessed 12 Jan. 2025.
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Last Updated: 8 Jan 2025 - Updated example sentences
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