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 Their proficiency extends to interpreting the evolving landscape of tax laws, ensuring compliance, and optimizing tax strategies for their clients. Bryce Welker, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2024 Sign up for the daily digest chronicling the evolving media landscape here. Oliver Darcy, CNN, 5 Mar. 2024 Determining their sizes and distribution lets cosmologists test their model of how the universe evolved. Liz Kruesi, Quanta Magazine, 4 Mar. 2024 Tell us how real estate has evolved following the Croatian War of Independence (1991-1995). R. Daniel Foster, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 As Starland continues to evolve, stakes are pulled up and exits are sought. Adam Erace, Travel + Leisure, 2 Mar. 2024 What began as a fling could evolve into something more as the moon and Pluto harmonize. USA TODAY, 2 Mar. 2024 Now Howell is viewed by the union as the ideal leader to tackle traditional issues and evolving matters within the universe of the nation's most powerful sports league, with revenues estimated in the $20 billion range. USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024 An iterative approach allows for gradual enhancements, ensuring that the system grows in efficiency while enabling the latest technological upgrades over time—all within the context of a business’s evolving needs and goals. Daniel Knauf, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024

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 19 Mar. 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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