mutant

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'mutant' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to a person or organism that has had its genetic structure altered, either naturally or artificially. For example: "The X-Men are a group of mutants with extraordinary powers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The ancient race of vinyl enthusiasts who had once haunted record stores and swap meets was dying out, superseded by a mutant breed of torrent obsessives.

The Guardian - Books

Rhythmically sharp yet hypnotic, with a woozy, narcotic edge, tracks like 2013's Dunkel Jam seem to have soaked up the percussive energy and bass methods from 20 years of US house, techno and garage, as well as the full gamut of London's mutant dancefloor strains.

The Guardian - Music

"They've got a mutant lawn weed as their national symbol and they can't verbalise the difference between a tree and the number three".

The Guardian - Opinion

Think of 20 years ahead – these are all schools graduating militias, creating a mutant that is killing people, that is amassing weapons.

The Guardian

Surprisingly, however, even when the mutant critters ate the same as normal mice, they still gained more weight.

The Economist

After 26 days at sea, the team returned to Seattle on July 18th with four chimneys that they had plucked from the sea bed.In this section The dizziest, giddiest stars Gone is the forest primeval Telling the wood from the trees 20,000 leagues under the sea Hunt the mutant ReprintsScooping up a live smoker is not easy.

The Economist

The result was a strain with stiffer, shorter straw but the same early harvest and malting qualities, which would eventually reach the market as "Golden Promise".Today scientists use thermal neutrons, X-rays, or ethyl methane sulphonate, a harsh carcinogenic chemical anything that will damage DNA to generate mutant cereals.

The Economist

(In 1992 the FDA ruled that since there was no material difference between GM and non-GM food, labelling was not required).Rural Vermont's website has a cartoon depicting GM foods as radioactive mutant creatures with eyes on stalks.

The Economist

So resources are misallocated.In this section Zimbabwe's sell-off On the trail of the mutant inflation monster Way to pay Loose lips on Wall Street Next in line?

The Economist

Three of the mutant bananas have shown resistance to Black Sigatoka in the laboratory, at least.

The Economist

In other words, a cancer has started.The mutant BRAF protein activates another protein, called ERK.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In creative writing, consider the connotations of "mutant", as it can evoke feelings of otherness, fear, or extraordinary ability.

Common error

While "mutant" can be a vivid descriptor, avoid using it loosely to describe anything merely unusual or different. Reserve it for situations where there is a clear implication of genetic alteration or significant deviation from the norm.

Linguistic Context

The word "mutant" functions as both an adjective and a noun. As an adjective, it modifies nouns, describing something that has undergone mutation. As a noun, it refers to an organism or entity that has mutated. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "mutant" is correctly used in English as both an adjective and a noun, describing entities with altered genetic structures. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage spans scientific, media, and creative writing contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the connotations, especially in sensitive or scientific discussions, where terms like ""genetic variant"" might be more appropriate. Ludwig examples show a high frequency of use in News & Media and Science domains, reflecting its relevance in current discussions about genetics and adaptation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

genetic variant

Focuses specifically on the genetic aspect of the change.

altered form

Emphasizes the change in shape or structure.

modified organism

Highlights the biological manipulation involved.

deviant strain

Implies a departure from the typical characteristics of a population.

aberrant type

Suggests a deviation from the normal or expected type.

changed entity

General term for something that has undergone a transformation.

transformed being

Highlights a fundamental change in the nature of a being.

irregular specimen

Focuses on the unusual or atypical nature of a particular sample.

anomalous creature

Emphasizes the deviation from what is normal or expected in a living being.

atypical individual

Highlights the uniqueness of a person or thing compared to the standard.

FAQs

How can I use "mutant" in a sentence?

You can use "mutant" to describe organisms with altered genetic structures, as in "The scientist studied the "mutant" virus" or to refer to fictional characters with extraordinary abilities, such as "The X-Men are a team of "mutant" superheroes".

What's a less sensational alternative to "mutant"?

Depending on the context, you might use terms like "genetic variant", "modified organism", or "altered form".

Is it always appropriate to use "mutant" when referring to genetic differences?

Not always. "Mutant" can sometimes carry negative connotations. In scientific or technical contexts, it's often more neutral to use terms like "genetic variant" or "mutation".

What is the difference between a "mutant" and a "mutation"?

"Mutation" refers to the process of genetic alteration, while "mutant" is the organism or entity that possesses the altered genetic makeup resulting from that process. For example, the "mutation" caused the organism to become a "mutant".