shapeshifting
Changing physical form
Shapeshifting is the ability to transform one's physical form into something else—another creature, person, or object.
The concept appears throughout mythology and folklore, from werewolves to trickster gods, and remains a staple of fantasy fiction and superhero stories.
As a verb form, it describes the act of transformation: The witch was shapeshifting into a raven when the hunters arrived.
Figuratively, shapeshifting can characterize someone who readily adapts their personality or position to different situations.
Shapeshifting wolf-person
- skinwalkerNavajo witch who transforms
- kitsuneJapanese folklore shapeshifter
- selkieShapeshifting seal of legend
- changelingSubstituted fairy child
tanuki · nagas · lycanthrope · berserker · doppelganger · swan maiden
Entity assuming multiple forms
- transmutationComplete change of form
- transfigurationExalted change in appearance
- sorceryPractice of dark magic
- wizardryPractice of casting spells
enchantment · arcane · incantation · glamour · conjuration · illusion · spellcraft · changeling
Profound biological restructuring
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
- evolutionSpecies changing over generations
- chrysalisPupal casing for metamorphosis
pupation · larval · tadpole · caterpillar · molting · regeneration · plasticity · phenotypic
Assumed public identity
- alter egoA secondary persona
- avatarDigital user representation
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
- impersonationPretending to be another
roleplay · masquerade · doppelganger · facade · duality · reinvention · chameleon · code-switching
Adaptive resemblance to another
- chameleonLizard altering its pigmentation
- cuttlefishColor-changing cephalopod with internal shell
- octopusEight-limbed sea mollusk
- crypticObscure in meaning
concealment · blend · adaptive · camouflage · stealth · disguise · invisibility · ambush
werewolf
Shapeshifting wolf-person
- skinwalkerNavajo witch who transforms
- kitsuneJapanese folklore shapeshifter
- selkieShapeshifting seal of legend
changeling · tanuki · nagas · lycanthrope · berserker · doppelganger · swan maiden
polymorph
Entity assuming multiple forms
- transmutationComplete change of form
- transfigurationExalted change in appearance
- sorceryPractice of dark magic
wizardry · enchantment · arcane · incantation · glamour · conjuration · illusion · spellcraft · changeling · metamorph
metamorphosis
Profound biological restructuring
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
- evolutionSpecies changing over generations
chrysalis · pupation · larval · tadpole · caterpillar · molting · regeneration · plasticity · phenotypic · developmental
persona
Assumed public identity
impersonation · roleplay · masquerade · doppelganger · facade · duality · reinvention · chameleon · code-switching · fluidity
mimicry
Adaptive resemblance to another
- chameleonLizard altering its pigmentation
- cuttlefishColor-changing cephalopod with internal shell
- octopusEight-limbed sea mollusk
cryptic · concealment · blend · adaptive · camouflage · stealth · disguise · invisibility · ambush · deception
- superpowerstelekinesis, telepathy, superpower, invisibility, force powers
- fantasy abilitiesspell casting, mind reading, teleportation, time travel, necromancy
- supernatural statesenchanted, bewitched, hexed, cursed, possessed
- Sci-fi powersteleportation, time travel, mind meld, warp drive, hyperdrive
- fantasy elementsdragon, wizard, witch, spell, wand
- Magic & Fantasyenchantment, sorcery, alchemy, grimoires, necromancy
shapeshiftingfixity
State of being immovable
permanence · immutability · rigidity · invariability · fixed form
shapeshiftingtrue form
Authentic underlying identity
authenticity · genuineness · steadfastness · consistency · being oneself
shape, shift, shifting, reshape, transformation, reshaping, transforming, reshaped, reshapes