mutator

M3U1T1A1T1O1R1
US/ˈmjuteɪtɚ/

noun

That which causes mutation or change.

“In object-oriented programming, the mutator function changes the value of the field that gives its name.”

Similar
setter
Opposite
accessor
UncommonScrabble 9
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Word of the Day · Sep 9, 2023

Meanings

nounmutator (plural mutators)

plural mutators

  1. That which causes mutation or change.

    In object-oriented programming, the mutator function changes the value of the field that gives its name.

  2. video gamesA setting which alters specific gameplay mechanics, such as rules, physics, or abilities.

    Rocket League will gain match-modifying mutators […] The football-meets-cars mashup will let you toggle on gameplay-changing settings such as low gravity, time warping and explosions.

    2015 October 28, Tom Phillips, “Rocket League match mutators to arrive in free November update”, in Eurogamer.net

Synonyms & antonyms

Similar
setter
Opposite
accessor
Also see
setter

Origin

From mutate + -or. The video gaming sense likely originated in the video game Unreal Tournament (1999).

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Bulgarian мутатор
  • мутатор (mutator)causes mutation or change
Czech mutátor
  • mutátorcauses mutation or change
Danish mutator
  • mutatorcauses mutation or change
Dutch mutator
  • mutatorcauses mutation or change
Esperanto mutaciulo
  • mutaciulocauses mutation or change
Estonian mutaator
  • mutaatorcauses mutation or change
French mutateur
  • mutateurcauses mutation or change
German Mutator
  • Mutatorcauses mutation or change
Greek μεταλλάκτης
  • μεταλλάκτης (metalláktis)causes mutation or change
Italian mutatore, mutatrice
  • mutatorecauses mutation or change
  • mutatricecauses mutation or change
Polish mutator
  • mutatorcauses mutation or change
Romanian mutator
  • mutatorcauses mutation or change
Russian мутатор
  • мутатор (mutator)causes mutation or change
Cite this entry
APA

mutator. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/mutator

MLA

“mutator.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/mutator. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “mutator,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/mutator.

Source: mutator on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.