devolve

verb

de·​volve di-ˈvälv 

-ˈvȯlv,

dē-

devolved; devolving

transitive verb

: to pass on (something, such as responsibility, rights, or powers) from one person or entity to another

devolving to western Europe full responsibility for its own defense

—Christopher Lane

intransitive verb

1

a

: to pass by transmission or succession

the estate devolved on a distant cousin

b

: to fall or be passed usually as a responsibility or obligation

the responsibility for breadwinning has devolved increasingly upon women

—Barbara Ehrenreich

2

: to come by or as if by flowing down

streams devolving from the mountains

his allegedly subversive campaigns … devolve from his belief in basic American rights

—Frank Deford

3

: to degenerate through a gradual change or evolution

The scene devolved into chaos.

Did you know?

The Evolution of Devolve

Evolve? Check. Revolve? Check. Devolve? Now we’re on a roll—literally. All three of these words (and more) evolved from the Latin verb volvere, meaning "to set in a circular course, to cause to roll, to bring round." Latin ēvolvere means "to roll out or away"; Latin revolvere means "to roll back to a starting point"; and Latin dēvolvere means "to roll (something) down." In its earliest uses in the 15th century, devolve was about literally rolling down: it meant "to roll onward or downward." Today the word is typically about a more figurative rolling down, as when an organization devolves power—that is, passes power down—to those at a lower level of authority, or when a deteriorating situation is described as "devolving into chaos." One word, multiple uses. That's just how English rolls.

Synonyms

• atrophy
• crumble
• decay
• decline
• degenerate
• descend
• deteriorate
• ebb
• regress
• retrograde
• rot
• sink
• worsen

Examples of devolve in a Sentence

She cynically asserts that our species is devolving.

Somehow the debate devolved into a petty competition to see who could get more applause.

Community leaders hope that the new government will devolve more power to the community itself.

Responsibility has devolved to the individual teachers.

Recent Examples on the Web

Here’s a brief timeline of key moments in the devolving partnership between the two nations so far. —Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 7 May 2025

Reyes is in no shape for the task, having devolved into a drunken, Hawaiian shirt-wearing slob with a bad bleach job. —Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 7 May 2025

But the project soon devolved into delays, finger-pointing and contract disputes, the Tribune found in a 2019 investigation. —Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2025

Read more Lawler town hall devolves into chaos Rep. Mike Lawler’s (R-N.Y.) town hall in his suburban swing district devolved into chaos Sunday evening as attendees lobbed boos and questions about President Trump before some were removed by law enforcement. —Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 5 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English devolven "to transfer, overthrow," borrowed from Latin dēvolvere "to roll (something) down, (in passive voice) sink or fall back, become subject (to), be passed down (to an heir)," from dē- de- + volvere "to set in a circular course, cause to roll" — more at wallow entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for devolve

• absolve
• dissolve
• evolve
• involve
• resolve
• revolve
• solve

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Legal Definition

devolve

intransitive verb

de·​volve di-ˈvȯlv, -ˈvälv 

devolved; devolving

1

: to pass by transfer or succession

the estate devolved to a distant cousin

2

: to fall or be passed usually as an obligation or responsibility

in case of the removal of the President from office, or of his…inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said office, the same shall devolve on the Vice President

—U.S. Constitution art. II

Etymology

Medieval Latin devolvi, passive of devolvere to roll down, from Latin, from de down, away + volvere to roll