Meaning & use
morph into
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Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitive
To change gradually and completely into something else, often in a way that seems surprising or impressive.
Grammar: Used with into + a noun: the caterpillar morphs into a butterfly. Can also be used without an object when the result is clear from context: the company morphed and became a tech giant.
Patterns
- morph into something
- morph from something into something
- morph something into something
Over the summer, the quiet seaside town morphs into a busy tourist resort.
The simple idea morphed into a global business within five years.
Her early sketches morphed into the final design after many revisions.
verbtransitivetechnical
To change the form or appearance of something, especially in a smooth or continuous way.
Grammar: Takes an object: the software morphs the photo into a painting. This use is more technical and often passive.
Patterns
- morph something into something
The animation software morphs one face into another in a few seconds.
The video artist morphed the still images into a flowing sequence.
Word forms
| third person singular | morphs into |
|---|---|
| past tense | morphed into |
| past participle | morphed into |
| -ing form | morphing into |
Common combinations
- gradually morph into
- The small protest gradually morphed into a nationwide movement.
- morph into a butterfly
- The caterpillar morphs into a butterfly inside its cocoon.
- morph into something else
- The old factory morphed into something else: a modern art museum.
- morph from X into Y
- The band morphed from a punk group into a pop sensation.
Synonyms and how they differ
- turn into
- Turn into is more neutral and can describe sudden or magical changes; morph into suggests a gradual, almost organic process.
- transform into
- Transform into is more formal and often implies a complete, striking change; morph into is more informal and emphasizes a smooth transition.
- evolve into
- Evolve into stresses development over time through small steps; morph into can happen faster and with less sense of progress.
Word family
Commonly confused: morph into or moth into?
morph into vs moth into
Moth is an insect; morph into is about changing form. They sound similar but are unrelated.
Practice
The startup ______ a major corporation in just three years.
Choose one answer.
Morph into is the correct phrasal verb meaning 'change into'. The other prepositions do not fit the pattern.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “morph into”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.