mutate
gb/mjˈutˌeɪt/ us/mjˈutˌeɪt/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B2
process
1
undergo genetic change
If a living thing, cell, gene, or virus mutates, its genetic material changes.
Usage pattern:
[organism/cell/gene/virus] mutates
Common mistake:
Do not use mutate for ordinary everyday changes like changing plans; use change instead.
Synonyms
change (broader and less specifically genetic)
|
evolve (suggests gradual biological development over time, not always a single genetic change)
|
alter (more general and often transitive)
Antonyms
remain stable (means not undergo genetic change)
|
stay unchanged (general opposite meaning)
Collocations
a virus mutates
|a gene mutates
|cells mutate
|mutate rapidly
|mutate randomly
|mutate over time
|a strain mutates
|mutate naturally
Themes
biology
|genetics
|medicine
|science
Examples
- Viruses can mutate quickly, which makes them harder to control.
- The gene mutated in a way that affected the plant's color.
- Cancer can begin when normal cells mutate and grow uncontrollably.
Learner examples
- The virus mutated over time.
- Some cells mutate naturally.
Verb
C1
process
2
change into different form
If something mutates into something else, it changes into a very different form.
Usage pattern:
[something] mutates into [something]
Common mistake:
In this general sense, mutate into is usually more natural than mutate to when naming the new form.
Synonyms
transform (more common and neutral for a clear change in form)
|
evolve (suggests gradual development rather than sudden change)
|
morph (more informal and often visual or cultural)
Antonyms
remain unchanged (means not change in form or character)
|
stay the same (simple everyday opposite)
Collocations
mutate into something
|slowly mutate
|quickly mutate
|an idea mutates
|a story mutates
|a movement mutates
|a discussion mutates
|a joke mutates online
Themes
change
|media
|society
|ideas
Examples
- The online joke mutated into a political slogan.
- Over the years, the small local festival mutated into a major tourist event.
- What began as a simple complaint soon mutated into a wider debate about working conditions.
Learner examples
- The story mutated into a legend.
- The game mutated into a new sport.
Verb
technical
C1
action
3
cause genetic change
To mutate a cell or gene is to make its genetic material change.
Usage pattern:
[agent/substance/radiation] mutates [gene/cell/organism]
Common mistake:
In general English, the passive form is often used: the cells were mutated by radiation.
Synonyms
alter (more general and not necessarily genetic)
|
modify (can suggest a controlled or intentional change)
|
damage (emphasizes harmful effect, not mutation specifically)
Antonyms
preserve (means keep something in its existing state)
|
stabilize (means make something less likely to change)
Collocations
mutate DNA
|mutate a gene
|mutate cells
|radiation mutates cells
|chemicals mutate DNA
|mutate bacteria
|deliberately mutate a gene
|mutate a strain
Themes
biology
|genetics
|medicine
|science
Examples
- High doses of radiation can mutate healthy cells.
- Researchers mutated a single gene to study its effect on the disease.
- Some chemicals are known to mutate DNA.
Learner examples
- Radiation can mutate cells.
- The scientists mutated the gene.
Verb
technical
C1
action
4
modify data in place
In programming, to mutate data means to change the original data directly.
Usage pattern:
[function/method/code] mutates [object/array/state]
Common mistake:
Do not confuse mutate with return: a function can return a value without mutating the original object.
Synonyms
modify (more general and common in computing)
|
update (often means change to a newer value)
|
alter (general word for changing something)
Antonyms
copy (suggests making a separate object instead of changing the original)
|
clone (means create a duplicate rather than directly change the original)
|
leave unchanged (means not modify the original data)
Collocations
mutate state
|mutate an object
|mutate an array
|mutate data
|mutate the input
|directly mutate
|mutate in place
|avoid mutating props
|a mutating method
Themes
computing
|programming
|software
|data
Examples
- This function mutates the original array, so make a copy first if you need the old values.
- In React, you should not directly mutate state.
- The method returns nothing because it mutates the object in place.
Learner examples
- The function mutates the list.
- Do not mutate the original data.
Grammar
Dictionary form
mutate
IPA
GB/mjˈutˌeɪt/
US/mjˈutˌeɪt/
Syllables & stress
mutate (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (mutate)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: mutate
- 3rd Person Singular: mutates
- Present Participle: mutating
- Past: mutated
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.