Standard Lemma guide

metamorphose

verb · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˌmɛtəˈmɔːˌfəʊz/
  • General-American: /ˌmɛtəˈmɔɹˌfoʊz/
  • General-American: /ˌmɛtəˈmɔɹˌfoʊs/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • CMU ARPABET: M EH2 T AH0 M AO1 R F OW0 Z Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

verb

Meaning 1

Of a moth or insect, to undergo metamorphosis.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To undergo some transformation.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: broadly, intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: metamorphize, metamorphosize, metamorphose, transform, transmogrify, transmute

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To transform (something) so that it has a completely different appearance.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: evolve, metamorphize, convert, develop, draw, metamorphose, reconvert, shift, transfigurate, transfigure, transform, transmogrify, transmute, transume

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

change in outward structure or looks

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • He transformed into a monster
  • The salesman metamorphosed into an ugly beetle

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: transform, transmute

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: change

Narrower terms: aurify, become, turn

5

verb

Meaning 5

change completely the nature or appearance of

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • In Kafka's story, a person metamorphoses into a bug
  • The treatment and diet transfigured her into a beautiful young woman
  • Jesus was transfigured after his resurrection

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: transfigure, transmogrify

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: change by reversal, turn, reverse

History

Etymology

From French métamorphoser, from Old French metamorphose, from Latin metamorphōsis; see metamorphosis.

Across languages

Translations

14 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: превръщам се (prevrǎštam se) — to undergo metamorphosis
  • Catalan: metamorfosar-se — to undergo metamorphosis
  • French: métamorphiser — to undergo metamorphosis
  • Ido: metamorfosar — to undergo metamorphosis
  • Latin: transfiguro — to undergo metamorphosis
  • Portuguese: metamorfosear — to undergo metamorphosis
  • Spanish: metamorfosearse — to undergo metamorphosis
  • Bulgarian: превръщам (prevrǎštam) — to transform (something) so that it has a completely different appearance
  • Bulgarian: преобразувам (preobrazuvam) — to transform (something) so that it has a completely different appearance
  • Catalan: metamorfosar — to transform (something) so that it has a completely different appearance
  • French: métamorphiser — to transform (something) so that it has a completely different appearance
  • Ido: transformar — to transform (something) so that it has a completely different appearance
  • Portuguese: metamorfosear — to transform (something) so that it has a completely different appearance
  • Spanish: metamorfosear — to transform (something) so that it has a completely different appearance