Synonyms

polymorphous

American

[pol-ee-mawr-fuhs] / ˌpɒl iˈmɔr fəs /

adjective

having, assuming, or passing through many or various forms, stages, or the like.
polymorphic.

polymorphous British

/ ˌpɒlɪˈmɔːfəs /

adjective

having, taking, or passing through many different forms or stages
(of a substance) exhibiting polymorphism
(of an animal or plant) displaying or undergoing polymorphism

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of polymorphous

First recorded in 1775–85, polymorphous is from the Greek word polýmorphos “multiform”; see poly-, -morphous

Vocabulary lists containing polymorphous

Florida's B.E.S.T. Roots: morph

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Layer of Polymorphous Cells.—The cells of this layer are irregular in outline, and give off several dendrites branching into the surrounding grey matter.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Slice 4 "Bradford, William" to "Brequigny, Louis" by Various

Polymorphous, pol-i-mor′fus, adj. having many forms: varying in appearance: taking on many changes—also Polymor′phic.—ns.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023