Word of the Day: Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis is, according to Merriam-Webster, ‘a change of physical form, structure, or matter, especially by supernatural means’. This isn’t a minor adjustment; It’s a complete transformation. “Metamorphosis” is a word commonly used when talking about major personal or social changes, especially in biology, education, literature, and everyday speech.

Meaning and uses of the word “metamorphosis”

The word is most often used to describe dramatic change in living things (such as insects) or people, ideas, or situations. It suggests growth, evolution, or becoming something very different from before. The tone generally ranges from neutral to positive and often conveys a sense of growth, progress, or development.
Metamorphosis comes from Greek words meaning “to change form.” It combines meta (transformation or change) and morphosis (shaping), indicating a transformation that goes beyond surface-level change.

Example sentences:

• The transformation of the caterpillar into a butterfly amazed the children.
• Moving to a new city completely changed his self-confidence and perspective.

‘The Metamorphosis’ is also the name of Franz Kafka’s famous novel, in which a traveling salesman wakes up to discover that he has turned into an insect.

How to use it in real life:

In everyday speech and media, “metamorphosis” is often used metaphorically to describe personal growth, career changes, or social changes. It has a precise meaning in science and biology, referring to life cycle changes such as complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult) or incomplete metamorphosis seen in insects and other organisms. In short, metamorphosis describes a powerful and often remarkable transformation, whether it is a butterfly emerging from a cocoon or a human evolving into a new phase of life.