evolve

verb

i-ˈvälv How to pronounce evolve (audio)
-ˈvȯlv,
ē-,
 also  -ˈväv,
 or  -ˈvȯv
evolved; evolving

transitive verb

1
: emit
2
a
b
: to produce by natural evolutionary processes
c
: develop, work out
evolve social, political, and literary philosophiesL. W. Doob

intransitive verb

: to undergo evolutionary change
evolvable
i-ˈväl-və-bəl How to pronounce evolve (audio)
-ˈvȯl-
ē-
 also  -ˈvä-və-
 or  -ˈvȯ-və-
adjective
evolvement
i-ˈvälv-mənt How to pronounce evolve (audio)
-ˈvȯlv-
ē-
 also  -ˈväv-
 or  -ˈvȯv-
noun

Examples of evolve in a Sentence

Her company has evolved from a hobby into a thriving business. Some flowers have evolved remarkable means of insect pollination.
Recent Examples on the Web Crafting Moments, Creating Memories As the lifestyles evolve, so do living spaces. Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 14 Sep. 2024 DirecTV and Disney have a long-standing history of connecting consumers to the best entertainment, and this agreement furthers that commitment by recognizing both the tremendous value of Disney’s content and the evolving preferences of DirecTV’s customers. Todd Spangler, Variety, 14 Sep. 2024 Taken together, these findings demonstrate the inherent plasticity of cellular systems and challenge the idea that cells and organisms can evolve only in predetermined ways. Peter A Noble, Discover Magazine, 14 Sep. 2024 Markets evolve, consumer preferences shift, and unforeseen challenges arise. Brent Gleeson, Forbes, 13 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for evolve 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'evolve.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin ēvolvere "to roll out or away, unwind, unroll, narrate (a series of events)," from ē-, variant of ex- ex- entry 1 before voiced consonants + volvere "to set in a circular course, cause to roll, bring round" — more at wallow entry 1

First Known Use

1772, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of evolve was in 1772

Dictionary Entries Near evolve

Cite this Entry

“Evolve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evolve. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

evolve

verb
i-ˈvälv How to pronounce evolve (audio)
-ˈvȯlv
evolved; evolving
1
: to develop or work out from something else
evolved a new plan
evolved a safer design from the old one
2
: to produce by a process of evolution
3
: to change by a process of evolution
evolvable adjective

Medical Definition

evolve

verb
evolved; evolving

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 functioningS. A. Green

More from Merriam-Webster on evolve

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