Showing results for evolve. Search instead for envolve.

Synonyms

evolve

American

[ih-volv] / ɪˈvɒlv /

verb (used with object)

to develop gradually.

to evolve a scheme.
to give off or emit, as odors or vapors.

verb (used without object)

to come forth gradually into being; develop; undergo evolution.

The whole idea evolved from a casual remark.
to gradually change one's opinions or beliefs.

candidates who are still evolving on the issue;
an evolved feminist mom.
Biology. to develop by a process of evolution to a different adaptive state or condition.

The human species evolved from an ancestor that was probably arboreal.

evolve British

/ ɪˈvɒlv /

verb

to develop or cause to develop gradually
(intr) (of animal or plant species) to undergo evolution
(tr) to yield, emit, or give off (heat, gas, vapour, etc)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

evolve Scientific

/ ĭ-vŏlv′ /

To undergo biological evolution, as in the development of new species or new traits within a species.
To develop a characteristic through the process of evolution.
To undergo change and development, as the structures of the universe.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of evolve

First recorded in 1635–45; from Latin ēvolvere “to unroll, open, unfold,” equivalent to ē- e- ¹ + volvere “to roll, turn”

Explanation

When something evolves, it changes, or develops over time, like your taste in music and clothes, which evolve as you get older. Evolve comes from the Latin word evolvere, "to unroll" — the perfect image to keep in mind when thinking of this verb. When something is unrolling or unraveling, it is doing so gradually, not all at once. Evolve describes a development that is taking its time to reach its final destination. Think change with a speed limit. Your taste in music evolved from the nursery rhymes you loved as a little kid to whatever you like today. Even places can evolve, like the old-fashioned coffee shops that evolved into Internet cafés as people began to bring their laptops with them.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing evolve

ACT Vocabulary List

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

100 SAT Words Beginning with "E"

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

50 Great Words from The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, by Mark Haddon

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“As technology becomes more common, public safety has to evolve and catch up.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 24, 2026

And as investors hunt for the next AI bottleneck, leadership could continue to evolve.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 24, 2026

These chromosome groups, known as subgenomes, continue to evolve and interact long after the original hybridization events.

From Science Daily • Jun. 19, 2026

Markets evolve quickly, and subsequent price action can strengthen, invalidate, or reshape even well-reasoned calls.

From Barron's • Jun. 17, 2026

Dip our toes in first, and let everything evolve slowly.

From "Leah on the Offbeat" by Becky Albertalli

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023