mutant

mutant — noun

1. a living thing — such as a plant, animal, or cell — whose DNA has undergone a pe

1.nounB2
Definition

a living thing — such as a plant, animal, or cell — whose DNA has undergone a permanent change, giving it features that differ from the normal type of its species.

Example

Tunde's team discovered a mutant strain of bacteria that could break down plastic waste.

scientific: mutant strain of bacteria

The mutant frog had an extra set of legs, puzzling the researchers at the lab.

Common collocations
  • mutant strain
  • mutant gene
  • mutant cell
  • mutant organism
Synonyms
  • mutation

    the process or result of genetic change, rather than the organism itself

  • variant

    broader term; a form that differs slightly from the standard, not necessarily due to genetic change

Antonyms
  • normal

    an organism without genetic changes

  • wild-type

    the typical, non-mutated form of a species, used in biology

Grammar Patterns

a mutant + noun (e.g. mutant gene, mutant strain)

Usage Note

Common in biology and science fiction. In popular culture, a mutant is often imagined as a person with superhuman abilities caused by genetic mutation.

Common Mistakes

Scientists found a new mutation of rice that grows faster.
Scientists found a new mutant strain of rice that grows faster.
'mutation' is the process or change itself; 'mutant' is the organism or thing that has undergone the change.

2. something that looks or feels unnatural, strange, and frightening — like a monst

2.nounB2
Definition

something that looks or feels unnatural, strange, and frightening — like a monster in a horror story, or a person whose appearance or behaviour shocks others.

Example

In the horror movie, a mutant with glowing yellow eyes crawled out of the sewer.

figurative: mutant as a monster in fiction

Quinn described the old warehouse as a mutant of rusting metal and rotting wood.

figurative pattern: a mutant of + noun phrase

Common collocations
  • a mutant of (+ noun phrase describing qualities)
Synonyms
  • monster

    more general term for any frightening creature; less specific to genetic causes

  • freak

    more offensive and informal; emphasises strangeness over genetic origin

Grammar Patterns

a mutant of + (qualities)

describe + someone/something + as a mutant

Usage Note

This sense is figurative and informal. It carries a strong negative emotional tone. Unlike sense 1, it has no connection to genetics or science.

mutant — adjective

Word family

  • mutate
    verbB2
  • mutation
    nounB2
  • mutated
    adjectiveB2
  • mutational
    adjectiveC1
  • mutagenic
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Mutant refers specifically to an organism whose DNA has permanently changed, giving it new characteristics. Mutation is the process itself or the genetic change — a mutation can occur without producing a noticeably different organism. Variant is a broader term for any form that differs from the standard, not necessarily due to genetic change; a colour variant of a flower, for example, might result from soil conditions rather than DNA alteration. Hybrid describes offspring of two different species or varieties, created through cross-breeding rather than mutation. Freak is a more emotional, less scientific word for something abnormally developed, often carrying a negative or sensational tone. For a biology exam, say 'a mutant strain of wheat' (genetically changed), not 'a freak strain' (too informal); and say 'this corn is a hybrid' (bred from two varieties) rather than 'this corn is a mutant' (unless it actually underwent genetic change).

mutant ↗mutation ↗variant ↗hybrid ↗freak ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • mutant gene
  • mutant cell
  • mutant strain
  • mutant organism
  • mutant virus

Adverbs

  • genetically mutant

Phrases

  • mutant form of
  • mutant version of

Prepositions

  • mutant in (appearance, behaviour)
  • mutant of (a species, a type)

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Mutant entered English in the early 1900s from the field of genetics. It comes from Latin 'mutantem', meaning 'changing', which itself is derived from 'mutare' ('to change'). The word shares this root with 'mutation', 'mutate', and 'mutable'. Its use in popular culture exploded after the 1950s, especially in comic books and science fiction, where mutants became characters with superhuman abilities.