shapeshifter

[sheyp-shif-ter]

noun

1. a fictional being that can transform itself from one physical form into another.

   Zeus was a great shapeshifter, taking many unexpected forms, including that of a swan, a gopher, a cloud, and even a shower of gold.

Other Word Forms

• shapeshift verb (used without object)
• shapeshifting noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of shapeshifter¹

First recorded in 1885–90; shape ( def. ) + shifter ( def. )

Example Sentences

The water that once sustained the community is horribly polluted and younger characters dream of escape; Mal, the mother of two daughters, is visited by a shapeshifter in her dreams.

From Los Angeles Times

No matter if whipped into an icing, deep-fried and served with a sticky dipping sauce or simply steamed, tofu is a shapeshifter.

From Salon

Jenrick is also a Thatcher fan - one of his daughters has Thatcher for a middle name - but Badenoch's supporters have accused him of being a "shapeshifter".

From BBC

The Democrats argue that this election is about saving democracy and the Harris/Walz ticket respects the Constitution while the convicted felon Trump/eyeliner ticket, sorry JD “Shapeshifter” Vance ticket, is the authoritarian ticket; a wannabe King with his untalented court jester by his side.

From Salon

A decisive victory will force the Republican Party to re-evaluate itself and re-energize itself with those who are more constitutionally minded than Donald Trump, the Heritage Foundation or JD “shapeshifter” Vance.

From Salon