morph

¹

[ mawrf ]

noun

1. Linguistics. a sequence of phonemes constituting a minimal unit of grammar or syntax, and, as such, a representation, member, or contextual variant of a morpheme in a specific environment. Compare allomorph ( def 2 ).
2. Biology. an individual of one particular form, as a worker ant, in a species that occurs in two or more forms.

verb (used with object)

1. to transform (an image) by computer.

verb (used without object)

1. to be transformed:

   morphing from a tough negotiator to Mr. Friendly.

morph-

²

1. variant of morpho- before a vowel:

   morpheme.

-morph

³

1. a combining form meaning “form, structure,” of the kind specified by the initial element:

   isomorph.

morph

¹

/ mɔːf /

verb

1. to undergo or cause to undergo morphing
2. to transform or be transformed completely in appearance or character

   he morphed from nerd into pop icon

noun

1. a morphed image

-morph

²

combining form

1. indicating shape, form, or structure of a specified kind

   ectomorph

morph

³

/ mɔːf /

noun

1. biology any of the different forms of individual found in a polymorphic species

morph

⁴

/ mɔːf /

noun

1. linguistics the phonological representation of a morpheme

morph.

⁵

abbreviation for

1. morphological
2. morphology

morph

/ môrf /

1. A phenotypically distinct form of an organism or species.

Derived Forms

• -morphy, combining_form:in_noun:countable
• -morphic, combining_form:in_adjective

Other Words From

• morphic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of morph¹

1945–50; back formation from morpheme, or independent use of -morph

Origin of morph²

< Greek -morphos; -morphous

Word History and Origins

Origin of morph¹

from Greek -morphos, from morphē shape

Origin of morph²

C20: from Greek morphē shape

Origin of morph³

C20: shortened form of morpheme

Example Sentences

Rona wears the ’30s silk tank when a dreamy summer day morphs into first kisses at a nightclub — before benders and breakups.

From Los Angeles Times

Indeed, Sofia morphs multiple times over the course of the series.

From Los Angeles Times

And he’s had to alter the walk as the city around it has morphed.

From Los Angeles Times

But we morph in unexpected ways, like the natural landscape around us, contracting and expanding, cracking in places, melting in others and ultimately sprouting with new life.

From Los Angeles Times

In the video, posted Tuesday morning, the pop diva morphs into different versions of Anderson, like her iconic "Baywatch" and "Barb Wire" characters.

From Salon

Related Words

• alter
• modify
• transform