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 DuBois

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.
Lights shaped like chrysalises dangle from the tree column at the lobby bar. — Jennifer Kester, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2026 From their perspective, a star is just a transitory stage, a chrysalis. — Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 24 Sep. 2025 Studying design in Milan became her chrysalis. — Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 10 Dec. 2025 Its natural wooden structure provides shelter for butterflies in the rain and gives them a safe spot to make their chrysalises, too. — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Mar. 2026 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

chrysalid
chrysalis
chrysaloid
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chrysalis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chrysalis. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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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

Nglish: Translation of chrysalis for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chrysalis

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