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Definition of metabolic

metabolic

/ˌmɛt.əˈbɑː.lɪk/
met · a · bol · ic
Adverb:metabolically
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metabolic Lexical Profile

metabolic Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Relating to or deriving from the chemical and physiological processes occurring within a living organism that are necessary to maintain life.

Example

"Regular physical exercise helps increase the body's resting metabolic rate."

2

Undergoing or characterized by metamorphosis during biological development, especially in insects and amphibians.

Example

"Butterflies are metabolic insects that pass through four distinct developmental stages."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for metabolic

• Nearby Words

mestizo
meta
meta river
metabolic
metabolism
metabolize
metabolomic

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the mid-19th century from Ancient Greek metabolikos ('changeable'), derived from metabole ('change'), from meta- ('beyond, change') and ballein ('to throw').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Metabolic. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/metabolic
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