evolve

1 of 2

verb

i-ˈvälv 

-ˈvȯlv, 

ē-

also -ˈväv

or -ˈvȯv

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

i-ˈväl-və-bəl 

-ˈvȯl-, 

ē-

also -ˈvä-və-

or -ˈvȯ-və-

adjective

evolvement

i-ˈvälv-mənt 

-ˈvȯlv-, 

ē-

also -ˈväv-

or -ˈvȯv-

noun

evolvement

2 of 2

noun

evolve·​ment -mənt 

plural -s

: the act or process of evolving : the state of being evolved

Synonyms of evolve

Verb

• unfold
• grow
• develop
• progress

Examples of evolve in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

With a home base in SoHo– an ever-evolving art-world with galleries, studios, and museums, hip metropolitan green spaces such as the High Line, Washington and Union Squares, and designer shops and hubs are all at your fingertips. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 June 2026

In combat aviation, fighter and ISR crews operating in dense threat environments often face crushing cognitive loads managing all aspects of flight but also rapidly evolving tactical pictures. —Tim Burns, Fortune, 9 June 2026

Korkmaz said Isko is evolving color through innovation and authentic surface expression for F/W 27-28. —Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 9 June 2026

Founded in 1472 by the Republic of Siena to provide credit to poorer citizens, the Tuscan lender has evolved over more than five centuries into one of Italy's largest banking institutions and a cornerstone of the country's financial system. —Anna Matranga, CBS News, 9 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Verb

1772, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for evolve

• absolve
• devolve
• dissolve
• involve
• resolve
• revolve
• solve

Kids Definition

evolve

verb

i-ˈvälv 

-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

i-ˈväl-və-bəl 

-ˈvȯl-

adjective

Medical Definition

evolve

verb

i-ˈvälv, -ˈvȯlv 

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 functioning

—S. A. Green