evolve

[ ih-volv ]

See synonyms for: evolve evolved evolves evolving on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),e·volved, e·volv·ing.

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

verb (used without object),e·volved, e·volv·ing.

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.

Origin of evolve

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

Other words from evolve

e·volv·a·ble, adjective
e·volve·ment, noun
e·volv·er, noun
non·e·volv·ing, adjective
self-e·volved, adjective
self-e·volv·ing, adjective
un·e·volved, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use evolve in a sentence

Berkeley is home to top-rated food, unique music, excellent shopping, and a large LGBTQ community that’s evolving every day.
Berkeley: A City That Fights for the Rights of All | LGBTQ-Editor | November 20, 2020 | No Straight News
I think the beauty of being a music museum is we have to evolve and react to music at the same time that it’s happening.
Plight at the Museum | Jen Trolio | November 20, 2020 | Vox
Surprisingly, this plant camouflage seems to have evolved in response to people.
These plants seem like they’re trying to hide from people | Jonathan Lambert | November 20, 2020 | Science News
As we learn through time, our understanding of truth also evolves.
EmTech Stage: Twitter’s CTO on misinformation | Tate Ryan-Mosley | November 18, 2020 | MIT Technology Review
However much the mix of retailers in Levi’s wholesale business evolves, direct-to-consumer selling will remain a major focus for Levi’s growth, given the higher profits and greater control it offers.
Levi’s is betting you’ll buy more of its jeans at Target than at a department store | Phil Wahba | November 16, 2020 | Fortune

All of them contributed something to the evolvement of the present highly efficient and dependable wireless.
The Brighton Boys in the Radio Service | James R. Driscoll
Hugo's evolvement of his own ideas led to much controversy, and his book was severely attacked.
Victor Hugo: His Life and Works | G. Barnett Smith

British Dictionary definitions for evolve

evolve

/ (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)

Origin of evolve

C17: from Latin ēvolvere to unfold, from volvere to roll

Derived forms of evolve

evolvable, adjective
evolvement, noun
evolver, noun

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

Scientific definitions for evolve

evolve

[ 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.

Browse