What does "shapeshift" mean?

To change one's shape or form (into another) through often magical means, normally applied only to living beings.

What is a synonym for "shapeshift"?

Common synonyms include: transmorph, transmorph.

Pronounced //ˈʃeɪp.ʃɪft//.

//ˈʃeɪp.ʃɪft// verb

verb ·Rare ·Advanced level

Verb

1
To change one's shape or form (into another) through often magical means, normally applied only to living beings. intransitive
"For it was by shape-shifting and magic art, as poets tell, that Paris first beguiled Fair Helen."
2
To undergo a noticeable change (in character for example), to metamorphosize. figuratively, intransitive
"While Chelsea Wolfe has often shapeshifted in terms of how she presents her music, one thing remains constant: her big mood."

"Tom is a reptilian; I saw him shapeshift."

Probably a back-formation from shapeshifter.

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.