ENGLISH
REFERENCE

mutant

n. · adj.
US //ˈmjutənt// UK //mjˈuːtənt// mu·tant
  1. 1 biology/science fiction (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Science

    a plant, animal, or person that has different physical features because of a change in their genes.

    an organism or cell that has undergone a genetic mutation, resulting in a new trait or characteristic.

    Example

    In the movie, the hero was a mutant with the power to heal quickly.

    Example

    The researchers identified a mutant strain of the virus that was significantly more resistant to standard antiviral treatments.

    Usage

    Often used in science fiction to describe beings with superhuman powers.
  2. 2 strange person or thing (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal

    someone or something that looks or acts very strange, weird, or abnormal.

    a person or object perceived as bizarre, abnormal, or socially deviant.

    Example

    He felt like a mutant standing there in his suit while everyone else wore beach clothes.

    Example

    The local press treated the avant-garde building like a mutant, claiming its jagged steel frame ruined the historic skyline.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense can be offensive if used to describe a person's appearance; use with caution.
  3. 3 having mutated (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Science

    describing something that has changed or resulted from a genetic mutation.

    relating to, undergoing, or resulting from a genetic mutation; typically non-gradable.

    Example

    The scientists studied the mutant plants to see why they grew so tall.

    Example

    The mutant gene was passed down through several generations before the physical effects became apparent to the observers.
Origin

From Latin mūtāns, present participle of mūtō. By surface analysis, muta- + -ant.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Related words

Last updated June 20, 2026