evolve

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

|Updated on: 9 Jul 2018

Examples: evolve in a Sentence

Definition of evolve

evolved; evolving

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

—

evolvable

play \i-ˈväl-və-bəl, -ˈvȯl-, ē- also -ˈvä-və- or -ˈvȯ-və-\ adjective

—

evolvement

play \i-ˈvälv-mənt, -ˈvȯlv-, ē- also -ˈväv- or -ˈvȯv-\ noun

See evolve defined for English-language learners

See evolve defined for kids

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 of evolve from the Web

Canada’s popular foreign minister, Chrystia Freeland, has addressed this evolving international landscape in two major speeches that outline the Trudeau government’s response to the new challenges to the global order.

— stephanie carvin, Washington Post, "The U.S. isn’t being very neighborly. Here’s what it means for Canada’s foreign policy.," 1 July 2018
Josh and Julie also discuss Meghan’s evolving style, surprise award nomination (!), and rumored (at least in the tabloids) relationship trouble with sister-in-law Kate Middleton.

— josh duboff, Vanities, "Inside Meghan Markle’s Royal Roller-Coaster Week," 29 June 2018
The store upgrade comes on the heels of an evolving retail landscape where Amazon threatens to displace physical furniture, clothing, and grocery stores.

— carson kessler, Fortune, "The Container Store Reveals New Tech Savvy Store Design," 28 June 2018
This is about educating and developing a workforce prepared for the challenges of a global economy and ever-evolving technology so that our community does not fall behind.

— kent p. scribner, star-telegram, "FWISD superintendent announces "turnaround" at some low-performing elementary schools," 28 June 2018
In the past 30 years or so, English has been evolving a new example.

— melissa mohr, The Christian Science Monitor, "When good words turn bad," 28 June 2018
The lone Bay Area representative on the list this year is a familiar World’s 50 Best nominee, Joshua Skene’s perpetually-evolving Saison.

— justin phillips, SFChronicle.com, "SF’s Dominique Crenn notably absent from annual World’s 50 Best Restaurants list," 19 June 2018
The cultural institution has certainly grown and evolved in the last century.

— carol motsinger, Cincinnati.com, "Cincinnati Zoo just got a $50 million gift. But it's just the beginning of a big plan," 7 June 2018
Which is to say: These two apps—which have served the same purpose for most users—are both rapidly evolving away from their core business.

— alexis c. madrigal, The Atlantic, "Will Uber and Lyft Become Different Things?," 7 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'evolve.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of evolve

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1772

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

evolve Synonyms

Synonyms

cast, discharge, emanate, emit, exhale, expel, give out, irradiate, issue, radiate, release, send (out), shoot, throw out, vent;

Near Antonyms

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

eject, erupt, gush, jet, outpour, pour, spew, spout, spray, spurt, squirt;

EVOLVE Defined for English Language Learners

evolve

verb

Definition of evolve for English Language Learners

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

EVOLVE Defined for Kids

evolve

verb \ i-ˈvälv \

Definition of evolve for Students

evolved; evolving

: to change or develop gradually

Word Root of evolve

The Latin word volvere, meaning “to roll” or “to turn around,” gives us the root volv. Words from the Latin volvere have something to do with turning. To revolve is to turn in circles or travel on a circular path. To evolve, or grow or develop out of something else, is to unroll from a source. To involve, or include, is to roll someone into a situation.