evolve

American  

[ih-volv] / ɪˈvɒlv /

verb (used with object)

• evolves,
  present (3rd person singular)
• evolved,
  past participle,  past
• evolving
  present participle

1. to develop gradually.

   to evolve a scheme.

2. to give off or emit, as odors or vapors.

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verb (used without object)

• evolves,
  present (3rd person singular)
• evolved,
  past participle,  past
• evolving
  present participle

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

   The whole idea evolved from a casual remark.

2. to gradually change one's opinions or beliefs.

   candidates who are still evolving on the issue;

   an evolved feminist mom.

3. 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

1. to develop or cause to develop gradually

2. (intr) (of animal or plant species) to undergo evolution

3. (tr) to yield, emit, or give off (heat, gas, vapour, etc)

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evolve Scientific  

/ ĭ-vŏlv′ /

1. To undergo biological evolution, as in the development of new species or new traits within a species.

2. To develop a characteristic through the process of evolution.

3. To undergo change and development, as the structures of the universe.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• evolvement
  noun
• evolver
  noun
• evolvable
  adjective
• nonevolving
  adjective
• self-evolved
  adjective
• self-evolving
  adjective
• unevolved
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Participles

• evolving
  present
• evolved
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• evolve
  simple
• evolves
  simple
• have evolved
  perfect
• has evolved
  perfect
• am evolving
  progressive
• are evolving
  progressive
• is evolving
  progressive
• have been evolving
  perfect progressive
• has been evolving
  perfect progressive

Past

• evolved
  simple
• had evolved
  perfect
• was evolving
  progressive
• were evolving
  progressive
• had been evolving
  perfect progressive

Future

• will evolve
  simple
• will have evolved
  perfect
• will be evolving
  progressive
• will have been evolving
  perfect progressive

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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”

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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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

evolve evolves evolved evolving

In the letter, to the watchdog's chief executive Melanie Dawes and director for Scotland Glenn Preston, McAllan said she understood that broadcasters must adapt to evolve with audience habits.

From BBC ● Oct. 28, 2026

Experts say Jio is key to Reliance's strategy to evolve beyond its traditional oil business and the touchstone of its future tech ambitions.

From Barron's ● Oct. 28, 2026

“This book, more than any other book, is long, because my characters, especially Jordan, evolve in a way that I don’t think I’ve had characters evolve before,” says James.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026

“I think you’re going to see that evolve from where we’re at today, but the core of it is stand-up comedy. Right now, it’s serving those comedy superfans.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 20, 2026

These examples illustrate the broad range of questions concerning cultural idiosyncrasies, unrelated to environment and initially of little significance, that might evolve into influential and long-lasting cultural features.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

If the universe naturally evolves away from the behavior predicted by these conventional models, its accelerating expansion might not require a separate form of energy to explain it.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 29, 2026

However, uncertainty remains over the strength and exact track of the developing low-pressure system, meaning the areas likely to experience the most severe conditions could change as the forecast evolves.

From BBC ● Oct. 25, 2026

But it evolves, over the course of nearly three hours, into a stunning portrait of Evans, the 34-year-old father of Holmes’s two children, who has been managing her public image while she is behind bars.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

But as AI evolves and AI actors like Tilly Norwood continue to make headlines, it’s still unclear exactly how the industry will be affected.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 11, 2026

Aguirre-Sacasa has said that his drama first presents as a whodunit and evolves into a “whydunit.”

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove

Using these genomic comparisons, the scientists reconstructed how transposable elements evolved and changed in activity over the past 100 million years.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 28, 2026

“Over the past decade, private markets have evolved from an alternative source of yield into an established component of portfolios,” BlackRock strategists say.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2026

As Hollywood evolved, Capra struggled to find his place in it.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2026

Of course, the award has gradually evolved into the global behemoth it is today.

From BBC ● Oct. 27, 2026

His thinking on race has evolved over the years.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

This allows scientists to study the relationship between evolving galaxies, radiation, and the gas that fills the space between them.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 27, 2026

"We recognise that the changing climate and evolving risks facing fire and rescue services mean we must continue to learn, adapt and strengthen our ability to respond when demand rises sharply."

From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2026

Abu Sheikh said he also wants to help companies navigate a rapidly evolving relationship between the U.S. and the Middle East and North Africa.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026

A fresh approach to the dot plot and the Fed’s broader communication tools is overdue, and the timing is good as the central bank grapples with new and evolving challenges.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026

Malcolm, always changing, always evolving toward some truth that was ultimately outside the boundaries of his life, of his body.

From "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates

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Related Words

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