English Reference

Word

mutated

Phoneticsmu·tat·ed

US/ˈmjuˌteɪtɪd/

UK/mjuːtˈeɪtɪd/

Definition

adj. changed into a new or different form because of a shift in its genetic structure. You use this to describe living things or viruses that have developed new traits.

adj. having undergone a permanent alteration in genetic sequence. Often used to describe organisms or viruses that have evolved new characteristics through biological change.

Examples

“The mutated virus spreads more quickly than the original one.”

“Scientists identified a mutated strain of the crop that is naturally resistant to common pests.”

“In the wake of the environmental disaster, researchers documented several mutated species of amphibians that exhibited unusual physical traits not seen in previous generations.”

Examples

simple

“The mutated virus spreads more quickly than the original one.”

contextual

“Scientists identified a mutated strain of the crop that is naturally resistant to common pests.”

complex

“In the wake of the environmental disaster, researchers documented several mutated species of amphibians that exhibited unusual physical traits not seen in previous generations.”

Usage

Often follows a linking verb or precedes a noun as a participial adjective.

Pitfall

The virus was mutate

The virus was mutated

When describing the state of having changed, the past participle form 'mutated' must be used as an adjective.

Real-World Examples

“But a structure that made it hard for drugs to stick to the mutated proteins meant this cancer driver was long considered “undruggable”.”
The Guardian · 26 Aug 2026

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference