protean
[ proh-tee-uh n, proh-tee- ]
/ ˈproʊ ti ən, proʊˈti- /
adjective
readily assuming different forms or characters; extremely variable.
changeable in shape or form, as an amoeba.
(of an actor or actress) versatile; able to play many kinds of roles.
(initial capital letter) of, relating to, or suggestive of Proteus.
QUIZZES
HEED THE VOX POPULI, AND TAKE THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ!
Test your memory on these verbal firecrackers from the week of June 29 to July 5!
Question 1 of 7
anchorite
OTHER WORDS FROM protean
pro·te·an·ism, nounWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH protean
protean proteinWords nearby protean
protanomaly, protanopia, protasis, prote-, protea, protean, proteas, protease, protease inhibitor, protease inhibitors, protect
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for protean
British Dictionary definitions for protean
protean
/ (prəʊˈtiːən, ˈprəʊtɪən) /
adjective
readily taking on various shapes or forms; variable
Word Origin for protean
C16: from Proteus
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
Medical definitions for protean
protean
[ prō′tē-ən, prō-tē′- ]
adj.
Readily taking on varied shapes, forms, or meanings.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.