evolve

evolve

verb \i-ˈvälv, -ˈvȯlv, ē- also -ˈväv or -ˈvȯv\

: to change or develop slowly often into a better, more complex, or more advanced state : to develop by a process of evolution

evolvedevolv·ing

Full Definition of EVOLVE

transitive verb

1

:  emit

2

a :  derive, educe

b :  to produce by natural evolutionary processes

c :  develop, work out <evolve social, political, and literary philosophies — L. W. Doob>

intransitive verb

:  to undergo evolutionary change

— evolv·able \-ˈväl-və-bəl, -ˈvȯl- also -ˈvä-və- or -ˈvȯ-və-\ adjective

— evolve·ment \-ˈvälv-mənt, -ˈvȯlv- also -ˈväv- or -ˈvȯv-\ noun

Examples of EVOLVE

1. Her company has evolved from a hobby into a thriving business.
2. Some flowers have evolved remarkable means of insect pollination.

Origin of EVOLVE

Latin evolvere to unroll, from e- + volvere to roll — more at voluble

First Known Use: 1775

Related to EVOLVE

Synonyms

elaborate, develop, unfold

Related Words

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

Near Antonyms

absorb, inhale, soak (up), sponge, suck (up), take up

evolve

verb \i-ˈvälv, -ˈvȯlv\   (Medical Dictionary)

evolvedevolv·ing

Medical Definition of EVOLVE

transitive verb

: to produce by natural evolutionary processes

intransitive verb

: to develop by or as if by evolution : undergo evolutionary change <an evolving theory of mental functioning—S. A. Green>