chrysalis

noun

chrys·​a·​lis ˈkri-sə-ləs How to pronounce chrysalis (audio)
plural chrysalides kri-ˈsa-lə-ˌdēz How to pronounce chrysalis (audio) or chrysalises
1
a
: a pupa of a butterfly
broadly : an insect pupa
b
: the hardened outer protective layer of a pupa
2
: a protecting covering
also : a sheltered state or stage of being or growth
… a budding writer could not emerge from his chrysalis too soon. William Du Bois

Illustration of chrysalis

Illustration of chrysalis
  • chrysalis 1

Examples of chrysalis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Read the full Gemini Daily Horoscope Cancer (June 22 - July 22) Consider the last twelve months your chrysalis era. Usa Today, USA Today, 9 June 2025 In the coming days, the little green chrysalis will hopefully transform into an orange-and-black beauty! Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025 The password was another meaningful detail — chrysalis — referring to the transformation from caterpillar to butterfly, a wink to Paige’s own transformation and rebirth. Mary Gillen, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019 Every day, visitors can watch butterflies and moths that have just emerged from their chrysalises take their first flight into the haven. Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for chrysalis

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin chrȳsallid-, chrȳsallis, borrowed from Greek chrȳsallid-, chrȳsallís, from chrȳsós "gold" (referring to the metallic gold-like sheen of some butterfly pupae) + -allid-, -allis, noun suffix of some plant and animal names — more at chryso-

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of chrysalis was in 1601

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chrysalis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chrysalis. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

chrysalis

noun
chrys·​a·​lis ˈkris-ə-ləs How to pronounce chrysalis (audio)
plural chrysalides kris-ˈal-ə-ˌdēz How to pronounce chrysalis (audio) or chrysalises
ˈkris-ə-lə-səz
: the pupa of a butterfly or moth
also : the hardened outer layer of such a pupa compare cocoon sense 1

More from Merriam-Webster on chrysalis

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!