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.

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 /

noun

1. linguistics the phonological representation of a morpheme

morph

²

/ mɔːf /

noun

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

morph

³

/ 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

⁴

combining form

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

   ectomorph

morph.

⁵

abbreviation

1. morphological

2. morphology

morph

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

Other Word Forms

• morphic adjective
• -morphy combining form
• -morphic combining form

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

C20: shortened form of _morpheme

Origin of morph²

C20: from Greek morphē shape

Origin of morph³

from Greek -morphos, from morphē shape

Example Sentences

Henry’s devoted fan base has grown and morphed with each release.

From Los Angeles Times

After some conversations with FX, the opening moments morphed into a truncated version of the original film’s initial sequence that created a sense of unease by gradually drawing viewers into its deep space cargo ship.

From Los Angeles Times

The once spectacular coastline had seemingly morphed overnight — an apocalyptic transformation, decades in the making, seen with stark clarity now that orange caution tape and makeshift traffic lights mark what’s left of the shore.

From Los Angeles Times

That was a family tradition that morphed into a long-lasting profession because my cousin Brian and I got together and wrote some songs that people still love to this day.

From Los Angeles Times

But a moment of realisation, where everything clicks and stuttering potential morphs into roaring success, is even more giving: enter Canada's Victoria Mboko.

From BBC

Related Words

• alter 
• modify 
• transform 

When To Use

What does morph- mean?

Morph- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “form, structure.” It is often occasionally used in scientific terms, especially in biology and linguistics.Morph- comes from Greek morphḗ, meaning “form.”What are variants of morph-?Morph- is a variant of morpho-, which loses its -o- when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels. Additional related combining forms include -morphic, -morphism, and -morphous. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use articles on all four combining forms.

When To Use

What does -morph mean?

The combining form -morph is used like a suffix meaning “form, structure.” It is often used in scientific terms, especially in biology. Historically, -morph has been used in the pseudoscience of somatotype, which seeks to typify body shapes.The form -morph ultimately comes from Greek morphḗ, meaning “form.” The equivalent combining form from Latin is -form, from -fōrmis, meaning “having the form of.”What are variants of -morph?The form -morph is related to the forms -morphous and -morphic, meaning "having the shape, form, or structure." Other related forms are -morphism, morph-, and morpho-. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use articles on all five forms.