metamorphose

[met-uh-mawr-fohz, -fohs]

verb (used with object)

metamorphosed, metamorphosing 

1. to change the form or nature of; transform.

   Synonyms: transmute, mutate

2. to subject to metamorphosis or metamorphism.

verb (used without object)

metamorphosed, metamorphosing 

1. to undergo or be capable of undergoing a change in form or nature.

   Synonyms: transmute, mutate

metamorphose

/ ˌmɛtəˈmɔːfəʊz /

verb

1. to undergo or cause to undergo metamorphosis or metamorphism

Other Word Forms

• unmetamorphosed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of metamorphose¹

First recorded in 1570–80; back formation from metamorphosis

Example Sentences

The musicians metamorphosed into their final form: Adopting the name Black Sabbath, after a low-budget Boris Karloff film of the same name, they started writing lyrics that dabbled in death, black magic and mental illness.

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As in, they'll be so desperate to keep the series alive in Melbourne on Saturday they'll metamorphose into a team of belligerence and belief - a band of brothers who will blow the Lions away.

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And this man once seen as a performative figure — a political sideshow — has metamorphosed into a towering and singular figure in America whose significance goes far beyond politics.

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"These metamorphosed sedimentary rocks that have melted and produced granites that concentrate uranium and thorium are like black box flight recorders that record pressure and temperature," Smye said.

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Previous studies had found that smooth muscle cells metamorphose into different types of cells inside these atherosclerotic plaques and multiply to make up most cells within the plaques.

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Related Words

• mutate 
• transmute