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Glite Dictionary
to shapeshift at will

to shapeshift at will

9.9
To change your form or appearance whenever you want
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : transformarse a voluntad
  • The superhero can shapeshift at will, transforming into any creature she desires.

Examples

  • In the fairy tale, the wizard had the power to shapeshift at will into different animals.

  • Many mythical beings are said to shapeshift at will, allowing them to blend in with humans.

  • He can travel and shapeshift at will.

    Witchcraft 8: Salem's Ghost (1996)

Synonyms

to morph
vsto shapeshift at will
76 5.8

To change smoothly from one form to another

is an immediate change done freely whenever wanted
to change shape
vsto shapeshift at will
9 3.6

To become a different shape

is performed freely whenever someone wishes
to metamorphose
vsto shapeshift at will
5 8.2

Change completely in form or appearance

is done freely whenever someone chooses, not only as a dramatic overhaul
to shapeshift
vsto shapeshift at will
  • Literature
3 8.6

To change your body or look into another form, often an animal

is done freely whenever someone wishes

How Voluntary

to shapeshift at will
9.9
transformation
241 3.7
to change
∞ 1.0
to alter
493 2.5
forced
3.4

Surface Forms

shapeshift at will infinitive
shapeshifted at will past
shapeshifted at will past participle
shapeshifting at will present participle
shapeshifts at will third person singular

Morphology

shapeshift + at + will

The meaning 'to change one's form freely whenever one wishes' is directly built from 'shapeshift' (to alter form) plus the adverbial phrase 'at will' (as one wishes). 'At will' is a common, compositional modifier and the combination follows a standard verb + adverbial pattern, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words would readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Shapeshift at will puts a clear picture in your mind: shape (your body) and shift (move into a new form), and at will means 'whenever you want', so imagine someone changing into a wolf or a bird as easily as changing clothes. That's why the phrase means 'to change form whenever you choose'.