Metamorphosis
/ˌmetəˈmɔːrfəsɪs/
nounC1
Definition
Metamorphosis means a full and important change in shape or form. It is often used in biology to talk about animals that change a lot as they grow, like a caterpillar turning into a butterfly. It can also mean any big change in life or character.
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See It in Action
Biological change during life stages
- •The metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly is amazing to watch.
- •Frogs go through metamorphosis when they change from tadpoles to adults.
- •Scientists study metamorphosis to learn how animals grow and change.
A big, complete change in character or appearance
- •The old town went through a metamorphosis after many new buildings were built.
- •Her metamorphosis from a shy student to a confident speaker surprised everyone.
- •The story shows the metamorphosis of the main character from weak to strong.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "metamorphosis" like "change" (a simple A1 word), but it means a very big and complete change, not just a small or little one.
- ✓Picture a caterpillar turning into a butterfly—this is not just growing, but becoming a totally new creature with wings.
- ✓It is the feeling when you see a friend after many years and they look very different, almost like a new person.
- ✓Sounds like "meta-MOR-fo-sis" → Imagine "meta" means "beyond" and "morph" means "form," so it is "beyond form," or changing into a new shape.
- ✓Think of stories where a character changes completely, like a frog turning into a prince.
- ✓NOT like "change" (which can be small), metamorphosis is a big, full change.
- ✓NOT like "transform" (which can be caused by outside forces), metamorphosis happens naturally from inside.
- ✓NOT like "evolution" (which is slow and over many generations), metamorphosis happens in one animal’s life quickly.
Try Other Words
- •Transformation: a big change in form or appearance (Use when the change is big but not always natural or biological)
- •Evolution: slow, natural development over time (Use when the change happens slowly over many years or generations)
- •Conversion: change from one form or use to another (Use when changing purpose or type, like converting a room into an office)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "meta-" (means beyond or change) + "morphē" (means form or shape)
- •Etymology: Comes from Greek words meaning "change of form"
- •Historical development: First used in English in the 1500s to describe changes in shape or form, especially in stories or nature
- •Modern usage: Used in science to describe animal life changes and in everyday language to describe big changes in people or places
- •Key idea: Not just small change, but a full and complete change from one form to another
Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of a time when you or someone you know went through a metamorphosis, a big change in life? What was it like?
•How does the idea of metamorphosis help us understand changes in nature or in stories better?
Fill in the blanks
1.A caterpillar goes through metamorphosis because it needs to ___ into a butterfly with wings.
2.Metamorphosis happens ___ inside an animal, not because someone else changes it.
3.The difference between change and metamorphosis is that metamorphosis is a ___ and complete change.
4.When a city has a metamorphosis, it means the place looks and feels ___ different than before.
5.People often use metamorphosis to describe changes in ___ or personality, not just physical form.
6.Metamorphosis usually happens ___ over a short time in one animal’s life, not slowly over many years.
7.The story’s main character had a metamorphosis, showing a ___ change from weak to strong.