A nutritional supplement
"The athlete added a metabolic powder to his pre-workout routine to boost energy levels."
undergoing metamorphosis
"The metabolic process in insects involves significant physical changes as they transition from larvae to adults through metamorphosis."
Of or pertaining to metamorphosis; pertaining to, or involving, change.
"The caterpillar's metabolic transformation into a butterfly is a dramatic example of biological metamorphosis."
In plain English: Metabolic describes anything related to how your body breaks down food and uses energy to keep you alive.
"His high metabolic rate makes him feel energetic throughout the day."
Usage: Use metabolic only when referring specifically to the chemical processes that sustain life within an organism's cells and tissues. Do not use it as a general synonym for any type of physical transformation or growth.
The word metabolic comes from the same root as metabolism and entered English alongside it to describe processes related to chemical changes within living organisms. Since its meaning is identical to that of metabolism, no separate origin story exists for this specific adjective form.