evolve

play

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

Definition of evolve

evolved

;

evolving

transitive verb
1 : emit
2a : derive, educeb : to produce by natural evolutionary processesc : 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

The high-society legal battle offers a glimpse into the high-stakes Western art market that’s evolved from California to Manhattan, with many millions of dollars in sales of paintings, sculptures and pottery annually.

— scott sonner, The Seattle Times, "Gallery owner alleges major US Western art sale defamed him", 3 June 2017
As the technology developed and became more widely used as a means to become pregnant, surrogacy evolved.

— michael alison chandler, Washington Post, "With new surrogacy law, D.C. joins jurisdictions that are making it easier for gay and infertile couples to start families", 3 June 2017
With the county evolving from what was once a sleepy rural weekend vacation getaway for nearby city dwellers into a vibrant busy network of full-time communities, traffic has become a major challenge.

— pat lenhoff, chicagotribune.com, "Traffic issues and Lake County go hand-in-hand", 1 June 2017
The scenarios that scientists are looking at depend on measurements of air and water temperatures taken at hundreds of sites around the world, as well as complex models about how trends will evolve in the coming decades.

— jess shankleman, Bloomberg.com, "The World Could Enter Climate ‘Danger Zone’ If Trump Exits Paris Deal", 30 May 2017
C4 plants, meanwhile—most of which evolved in hotter and drier climates—

— veronique greenwood, The Atlantic, "Tracking Climate Change Through a Mushroom's Diet", 30 May 2017
And forecast models are offering up differing scenarios about how this afternoon's activity could evolve.

— the associated press, AL.com, "8 dead in Mississippi shooting: Deputy among those killed, suspect in custody", 28 May 2017
At the same time, the obsession may reflect the way some Australians — or at least Australian news outlets — view Indonesia, and the ways those views are evolving.

— damien cave and isabella kwai, New York Times, "Schapelle Corby, Drug Trafficker and Australian Obsession, Returns Home", 27 May 2017
The soul of our beloved City is deeply rooted in a history that has evolved over thousands of years; rooted in a diverse people who have been here together every step of the way – for both good and for ill.

— jack holmes, Esquire, "Read New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu's Remarkable Speech About Removing Confederate Monuments", 23 May 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

First Known Use: 1772

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.