Mutate

/mjuːˈteɪt/

Meaning & Definition

verb

to change or cause to change in form or nature.

The virus can mutate rapidly, making it difficult to develop effective vaccines.

to undergo a change in genetic material.

The bacteria began to mutate in response to the antibiotics.

to change or alter something significantly.

Over time, the original concept of the story mutated into something entirely different.

From Latin 'mutare', meaning 'to change'.

mutate into

To change into a different form or species.

mutate beyond recognition

To change so much that the original form is no longer identifiable.

mutation

The process or results of changing or altering form, often in genetics.

mutant

An organism that has undergone mutation, displaying different characteristics from its parents.

To change drastically, often in a surprising or unconventional way.

That band really mutated after their first album!

To evolve or adapt quickly in a social or cultural context.

The fashion trends mutate every season.