evolve

play

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

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

As the game evolved, Lantz shot straight there, too — regardless of zip code.

— bryce miller, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Hall-bound Stu Lantz feels buzz surrounding Lakers rebuild," 30 Aug. 2017
The company has evolved over the years to focusing just on high-performance wireless earbuds, Zipbuds CEO Robin DeFay said.

— katherine peralta, charlotteobserver, "Look out Beats by Dre: SouthPark firm hopes Amazon exposure fuels sales, recognition," 29 Aug. 2017
However, the cup of coffee has evolved over the past few decades in the United States, becoming an all-day treat that social lives are geared around.

— the tylt, AL.com, "Would you pay $999 for an iPhone?," 27 Aug. 2017
And while tennis remains the focus, the tournament is evolving into a what Worcester calls a festival.

— paul doyle, courant.com, "Attendance Down From 2016, But Connecticut Open Still A Top Draw," 26 Aug. 2017
The threats that beset the world’s technological infrastructure, to say nothing of our mutual humanity, are dire, diffuse, immense in scope, and rapidly evolving.

— joshua cohen, WIRED, "The Great Tech Panic: What If All Your Secrets Became Public Information?," 25 Aug. 2017
Perhaps the biggest driver of this political divide has been evolving standards for what is considered acceptable speech in an industry still grappling, sometimes awkwardly, with rampant online harassment.

— maya kosoff, The Hive, "Can the Far Right Secede From Silicon Valley?," 17 Aug. 2017
The manifesto design that goes on our bags is a collection of statements that are ever-evolving and intended to spark conversation that is relevant at the time.

— kathleen hou, The Cut, "Lululemon Totes Are Spreading Questionable Sunscreen Facts," 8 Aug. 2017
The Greatest Raw Bars in Town Over the past several years, Charleston has evolved into a top-notch raw-bar town, thanks in part to The Ordinary, a high-ceilinged spot in a former bank from chef Mike Lata.

— meryl rothstein, Bon Appetit, "Where to Eat Your Face Off in Charleston, South Carolina," 3 Aug. 2017

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

See Words from the same year

evolve Synonyms

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 Defined for English Language Learners

evolve

play

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

play

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.