evolve

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

Synonyms of evolve

• unfold
• grow
• develop
• progress

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

The article highlights that what gives work meaning evolves, yet individuals frequently fail to re-evaluate their personal metrics for fulfillment. — Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

The town says the project would bring new multifamily housing to the site, though the plans have been evolving and were still being finalized earlier this year. — Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026

But the recording itself — which happened in eerie circumstances and nearly destroyed one of the trumpets — also underlines how our handling of antiquities has evolved dramatically in the intervening decades. — Sheena McKenzie, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026

Technology has significantly evolved since then, with 80% of 911 calls nationwide coming from wireless mobile devices rather than landlines tied to specific addresses. — Sophia Eppley, AJC.com, 10 Aug. 2026

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

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