devolve

[ dih-volv ]

verb (used with object)

, de·volved, de·volv·ing.

1. to transfer or delegate (a duty, responsibility, etc.) to or upon another; pass on.
2. Obsolete. to cause to roll downward.

verb (used without object)

, de·volved, de·volv·ing.

1. to be transferred or passed on from one to another:

   The responsibility devolved on me.

2. Archaic. to roll or flow downward.

devolve

/ dɪˈvɒlv /

verb

1. foll byon, upon, to, etc to pass or cause to pass to a successor or substitute, as duties, power, etc
2. intr; foll by on or upon law (of an estate, etc) to pass to another by operation of law, esp on intestacy or bankruptcy
3. intr; foll by on or upon to depend (on)

   your argument devolves on how you interpret this clause

4. archaic.
   to roll down or cause to roll down

Derived Forms

• deˈvolvement, noun

Other Words From

• de·volvement noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of devolve¹

1375–1425; late Middle English devolven < Latin dēvolvere to roll down, equivalent to dē- de- + volvere to roll

Word History and Origins

Origin of devolve¹

C15: from Latin dēvolvere to roll down, fall into, from de- + volvere to roll

Example Sentences

This month, growing discontent among parents in California, Colorado and South Carolina devolved into public protests.

From Ozy

In Florida, which has seen a sharp increase in pediatric coronavirus cases with dozens of pediatric hospitalizations, the issue has devolved into a partisan showdown.

From Time

Well-meaning programs devolve into grievance sessions … rather than listening and trying to relate.

From Time

A fusion of the fantasy and science-fiction genres, the Age of Legends is a tale of paradise lost, as a futuristic Garden of Eden devolves into a dangerous and broken world.

From Ars Technica

As the Kapoor clan prepares to fulfill the man’s wish of clicking one last family photograph, long- held secrets spill out and the house devolves into chaos.

From Time

Everyone knew that that reality could easily, indeed would likely, devolve into the sectarian disaster we see now.

From The Daily Beast

Forced C-section debates often skirt or even devolve into a proxy pro-choice/pro-life debate, explains Diaz-Tello.

From The Daily Beast

This will, inevitably, devolve into the comedian freaking out and crying on the floor.

From The Daily Beast

Politics has a tendency to devolve into juvenile playground taunts and smears.

From The Daily Beast

Have you ever seen a character devolve into a completely different person?

From The Daily Beast

We shall propose that the duty of collecting the returns shall devolve on the excise.

From Project Gutenberg

There is duty incumbent on us which we cannot devolve on others.

From Project Gutenberg

He pretended by his sole act and deed, to devolve upon these the whole authority of the state.

From Project Gutenberg

Besides Rhoda, Master Gammon was being waited for; on whom would devolve the driving of the cart back from the station.

From Project Gutenberg

She never could devolve upon that if love failed her; art could only be a part of her love henceforward.

From Project Gutenberg

More About Devolve

What does devolve mean?

To devolve means to transfer or pass on from one to another, as in The discussion about world economics devolved into talking about who earns more money.

To devolve also means to delegate or pass on responsibility to another, as in When the governor stepped down from office, his duties devolved to the lieutenant governor.

Example: I usually devolve my weekly writeup to my assistant.

Where does devolve come from?

The first records of the term devolve come from the 1300s. It ultimately comes from the Latin dēvolvere, meaning “to roll down.” Devolve was once used to mean “roll down,” but now it is more often used to mean “delegate or pass down,” which is a rolling down of sorts.

One figurative use of devolve is as an antonym for evolve. When used this way, it combines the meaning of “delegation” with the meaning of “rolling down” to describe a scene or event that has become chaotic and unsupportable.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to devolve? 

• devolving (noun)
• devolvement (noun)

What are some synonyms for devolve?

• transfer
• delegate
• decline
• degenerate

What are some words that share a root or word element with devolve?

• evolve
• devolvement

What are some words that often get used in discussing devolve?

• chaos
• delegate
• responsibility
• roll
• work

How is devolve used in real life?

Devolve is usually used in business analytics or general business discussions to talk about shifting the responsibilities of one member of a company to another.

The only downside to having such smart, rational friends is you're often not allowed to devolve into chaos.

— Ashly Perez 🤙🏽 (@itsashlyperez) May 25, 2016

The hour of the day when class leaves and, for this fleeting hour, it feels like there's nothing pressing to do.

Scientific inquiry: how does the rest of the day devolve into wtf did the time go and how can I even think with all there is to do? pic.twitter.com/hWBpnymVvZ

— Elissa Field (@elissafield) November 1, 2021

Snapchat has let their Discover section devolve into the tabloid rack in a grocery store checkout line.

— Ross Bolen (@WRBolen) May 3, 2017

 

 

Try using devolve!

Is devolve used correctly in the following sentence?

The whole show devolved into a complicated mess that no one could follow.