noun
Uncommon
mutant
MYOO-tuhnt
Mutant (noun) means an organism or thing that has changed due to a mutation, showing new characteristics. Example: “The lab isolated a mutant strain of the virus with an unusual resistance to the drug.”
noun
1
An organism or thing that has changed due to a mutation, showing new characteristics.
"The lab isolated a mutant strain of the virus with an unusual resistance to the drug."
"The gardener found a mutant daisy with twice as many petals as the others."
"Scientists studied the mutant to see how its changed genes affected its growth."
2
Informal: something or someone considered strange or abnormal.
"In the comic books, the superheroes are mutants with extraordinary powers."
"My brother calls our ancient, rattling car a mutant because nothing about it looks normal."
"The kids at school treated the new boy like a mutant just because he dressed differently."
adj
1
Having undergone or resulting from mutation.
"Scientists tracked how the mutant gene spread through the population."
"The farmer noticed a mutant form of the wheat that grew much shorter than usual."
"A single mutant cell can sometimes grow into a tumour."
How to use mutant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething changed by mutation, or informally, something strange or abnormal.
Common pairings
mutant gene
mutant strain
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Word forms
- Plural
- mutants
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The lab isolated a _____ strain of the virus with an unusual resistance to the drug.
Etymology
From Latin mutans, "changing," the present participle of the verb mutare, "to change."
Related words
Rhymes for mutant
See all rhymes for mutant →Frequently asked questions
What does “mutant” mean?
The word “mutant” means an organism or thing that has changed due to a mutation, showing new characteristics. In plain terms, something changed by mutation, or informally, something strange or abnormal.
How do you pronounce “mutant”?
“Mutant” is pronounced MYOO-tuhnt (/ˈmju(t)n̩(t)/ in IPA).
How do you use “mutant” in a sentence?
Here is “mutant” used in a sentence: “The lab isolated a mutant strain of the virus with an unusual resistance to the drug.”
What part of speech is “mutant”?
Depending on how it is used, “mutant” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “mutant” come from?
The word “mutant” comes from Latin. From Latin mutans, "changing," the present participle of the verb mutare, "to change.".
Is “mutant” a common word?
“Mutant” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “mutant” have?
“Mutant” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an organism or thing that has changed due to a mutation, showing new characteristics.
What is the difference between a mutant and a mutation?
A mutant is the organism or thing that has changed and displays new characteristics, while a mutation is the underlying change or alteration in genetic material that causes it. In short, a mutation is the cause, and a mutant is the resulting entity.
Is calling someone a mutant offensive?
Used informally, "mutant" can describe something or someone considered strange or abnormal, and this usage can come across as dismissive or mocking depending on context and tone. The formal, non-offensive use refers strictly to an organism showing genetic mutation.
Can mutant be used as an adjective?
Yes, as an adjective "mutant" describes something having undergone or resulting from mutation, as in "a mutant strain of virus." This usage is common in scientific and medical writing to describe altered organisms or cells.
