develop

verb

de·​vel·​op di-ˈve-ləp 

dē-

developed; developing; develops

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

developed the scene in her mind

c

dyeing : to treat with an agent to cause the appearance of color

d

photography : to subject (exposed 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 (see theme sense 4)

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

developing your mental abilities

b(1)

: to make available or usable

develop natural resources

(2)

: to make suitable for commercial or residential purposes

develop land

c

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

develop the rook

4

a

: to cause to evolve or unfold gradually : to lead or conduct (something) through a succession of states or changes each of which is preparatory for the next

developed his argument

b

: to expand by a process of growth

working to develop the company further

c

biology : to cause to grow and differentiate along lines natural to its kind

more rain will be needed to develop the plants properly

d

: to become infected or affected by

developed pneumonia

5

: to acquire gradually

develop an appreciation for ballet

intransitive verb

1

biology

a

: to go through a process of natural growth, differentiation (see differentiation sense 3), or evolution by successive changes

A blossom develops from a bud.

b

: to acquire secondary sex characteristics

the year that her breasts fully developed

2

: to become gradually manifest

the facts that developed over the next few days

3

: to come into being gradually

the situation developing in eastern Europe

also : turn out sense 2a

it developed that no one had paid the bill

developable

di-ˈve-lə-pə-bəl 

dē-

adjective

Synonyms

• evolve
• unfold
• grow
• progress
• proceed

Examples of develop in a Sentence

She has been exercising regularly to develop her back muscles.

The story was later developed into a novel.

The island has developed its economy around tourism.

The course is designed to develop your writing skills.

A blossom develops from a bud.

The doctor says that the child is developing normally.

In this class, we will be learning about how languages develop.

Scientists are developing a treatment for the disease.

The company has developed a new method for recycling old tires.

He develops the concept more fully in his book.

Recent Examples on the Web

Forecasters expect tropical-storm-force winds, sustained at 40 miles per hour, and gusts above 45 mph to develop by Sunday afternoon in the Bahamas and spread to Florida’s east coast by Monday. —Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025

Netanyahu said Israel would need to further develop its weapons industry and adapt its economy to become less reliant on external trade. —Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025

Clusters of thunderstorms can develop over the ocean when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit. —Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 28 Sep. 2025

Double down on developing those attributes to their maximum potential. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1741, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 4a

Phrases Containing develop

• co-develop

Rhymes for develop

• envelop
• redevelop

Kids Definition

develop

verb

de·​vel·​op di-ˈvel-əp 

1

a

: to make or become clear gradually or in detail

as the story developed

b

: to apply chemicals to exposed photographic material (as a film) in order to bring out the picture

also : to make visible by such a method

develop pictures

c

: to make (a musical theme) more complicated by varying the rhythm and harmony

2

: to bring to a more advanced or more nearly perfect state

develop an idea

3

: to create or produce especially by effort

develop new ways of doing business

4

: to make more available or usable

develop land

5

: to acquire gradually

developed a taste for olives

6

: to go through a process of natural growth or evolution in a series of stages

a blossom develops from a bud

developable

-ˈvel-ə-pə-bəl 

adjective

Medical Definition

develop

transitive verb

de·​vel·​op di-ˈvel-əp 

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