morph

Meanings

1. 1verbintransitive

   To change gradually from one form, appearance, or state into another.

   Grammar: No object; usually followed by into: morph into something.

   Patterns

   • morph into something
   • morph from something into something

   The small startup slowly morphed into a global company.

   The caterpillar-like robot morphed into a car.

   Over the years the small meeting morphed into a huge festival.

2. 2verbtransitivecomputing

   To transform one digital image smoothly into another using computer software.

   Grammar: Takes an object: morph one face into another.

   Patterns

   • morph something into something
   • morph one thing with another

   The animator morphed a lion's face into a man's.

   The software can morph two photos into a single smooth video.

   Artists morphed the logo into the new design on screen.

3. 3nouncountablebiology

   One of the distinct forms or color types that a species can take.

   Grammar: Used in biology: the dark morph.

   Patterns

   • a morph of something
   • the dark morph

   The pale morph of the moth is more common in clean air.

   This lizard species has a red morph and a yellow morph.

   Scientists studied how each morph survived in the habitat.

Word forms

Common combinations

morph into

The cloud morphed into the shape of a dragon.

morph from

The brand morphed from a small shop into a chain.

seamlessly morph

The shapes seamlessly morph from one to the next.

color morph

The color morph helps the snake blend in.

morph one image into another

The film morphs one image into another.

gradually morph

The song gradually morphed into a rock anthem.

Synonyms and how they differ

transform

Transform is more general and can describe sudden or total change, while morph suggests a smooth, gradual shift.

evolve

Evolve implies slow development with some improvement, whereas morph focuses on changing form.

turn into

Turn into is plain and everyday, and does not suggest gradual change.

metamorphose

Metamorphose is a formal word for a dramatic biological or magical change.

Opposites

Word family

morphing noun

a smooth digital change from one image into another

morphology noun

the study of forms, such as of words or organisms

metamorphosis noun

a complete change of form, such as a caterpillar becoming a butterfly

morpheme noun

the smallest meaningful unit of a language

amorphous adjective

having no clear shape

Commonly confused: morph or metamorphose?

Practice

Make it your own

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