develop

de·vel·op

verb \di-ˈvel-əp, dē-\

Definition of DEVELOP

transitive verb

1

a : to set forth or make clear by degrees or in detail : expound <develop a thesis>

b : to make visible or manifest

c : to treat (as in dyeing) with an agent to cause the appearance of color

d : to subject (exposed photograph material) especially to chemicals in order to produce a visible image <develop film>; also : to make visible by such a method <develop pictures>

e : to elaborate (a musical idea) by the working out of rhythmic and harmonic changes in the theme

2

a : to work out the possibilities of <develop an idea>

b : to create or produce especially by deliberate effort over time <develop new ways of doing business> <develop software>

3

a : to make active or promote the growth of <developed his muscles>

b (1) : to make available or usable <develop natural resources> (2) : to make suitable for commercial or residential purposes <develop land>

c : to move (as a chess piece) from the original position to one providing more opportunity for effective use

4

a : to cause to unfold gradually <developed his argument>

b : to expand by a process of growth <working to develop the company further>

c : to cause to grow and differentiate along lines natural to its kind <rain and sun develop the grain>

d : to become infected or affected by <developed pneumonia>

5

: to acquire gradually <develop an appreciation for ballet>

intransitive verb

1

a : to go through a process of natural growth, differentiation, or evolution by successive changes <a blossom develops from a bud>

b : to acquire secondary sex characteristics

2

: to become gradually manifest

3

: to come into being gradually <the situation developing in eastern Europe>; also : turn out 2a <it developed that no one had paid the bill>

— de·vel·op·able \-ˈve-lə-pə-bəl\ adjective

Examples of DEVELOP

1. She has been exercising regularly to develop her back muscles.
2. The story was later developed into a novel.
3. The island has developed its economy around tourism.
4. The course is designed to develop your writing skills.
5. A blossom develops from a bud.
6. The doctor says that the child is developing normally.
7. In this class, we will be learning about how languages develop.
8. Scientists are developing a treatment for the disease.
9. The company has developed a new method for recycling old tires.
10. He develops the concept more fully in his book.

Origin of DEVELOP

French développer, from Old French desveloper, desvoluper to unwrap, expose, from des- de- + envoloper to enclose — more at envelop

First Known Use: 1750

Related to DEVELOP

Synonyms

elaborate, evolve, unfold

Antonyms

lose

Related Words

advance, fare, forge, get along, get on, march, proceed, progress; blossom, grow, mature, ripen; materialize; emerge, play out

Near Antonyms

abandon, desert, forsake; cast, discard, ditch, dump, fling (off or away), jettison, junk, reject, scrap, shed, shuck (off), slough (also sluff), throw away, throw out, unload

Rhymes with DEVELOP

envelop

de·vel·op

transitive verb \di-ˈvel-əp\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of DEVELOP

1

a : to make active or promote the growth of <developed their muscles by weight lifting> b : to cause to grow and differentiate along lines natural to its kind <the zygote is gradually developed into the adult plant or animal>

2

: to become infected or affected by <developed pneumonia>

intransitive verb

1

: to go through a process of natural growth, differentiation, or evolution by successive stages <the fever develops normally> <the embryo develops into a well-formed human being>

2

: to acquire secondary sex characteristics <she is developing rapidly for a girl of 12>