evolutionary

[ev-uh-loo-shuh-ner-ee, ee-vuh-]

adjective

1. pertaining to evolution or development; developmental.

   the evolutionary origin of species.

2. of, relating to, or in accordance with a theory of evolution, especially in biology.

3. pertaining to or performing evolutions.

Other Word Forms

• evolutionarily adverb
• antievolutionary adjective
• nonevolutionary adjective
• preevolutionary adjective
• proevolutionary adjective
• unevolutionary adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of evolutionary¹

First recorded in 1840–50; evolution + -ary

Example Sentences

The findings could help explain this long-standing enigma in evolutionary biology.

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Among them, protists -- tiny, single-celled organisms -- are especially remarkable for their evolutionary significance.

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These fossils reveal key milestones in our evolutionary journey -- from walking on two legs to crafting tools and developing larger brains.

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Much subsequent sociology has run around this Weberian circuit, powered by new techniques such as quantitative modeling and evolutionary biology.

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Mr. Wright is an evolutionary biologist and a fellow at the Manhattan Institute.

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Related Words

• developmental www.thesaurus.com
• metamorphic 
• transformative