mutant

Everyday

1. A mutant is a living thing whose genes have changed, so it is different from its parents in some way, like a white tiger or a plant with odd leaves. tree →
2. In science fiction and comics, mutants are characters with strange bodies or superpowers, like the X-Men or the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. tree →
3. (informal) «Mutant» can be a joking word for anything odd-looking: «a mutant carrot». tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons about genes, variation and evolution; in stories and cartoons for superheroes and monsters. Phrases: «mutant gene», «mutant strain», «Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles».

Examples

• A white tiger is a mutant with a changed colour gene. tree →
• Scientists studied mutant fruit flies. tree →
• The X-Men are a team of mutants. tree →
• We grew a mutant carrot with three legs! tree →
• Some mutants are healthy and some are not. tree →
• A mutant virus can spread differently. tree →
• The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles love pizza. tree →
• In the comic, mutant powers appeared when the hero turned thirteen. tree →

Note

Countable. Related words: mutate (change), mutation (the change). Myth: real mutations do not give superpowers; most are small or have no effect. Mutation is a normal part of how living things vary.