evolve

[ ih-volv ]

verb (used with object)

, e·volved, e·volv·ing.

1. to develop gradually:

   to evolve a scheme.

2. to give off or emit, as odors or vapors.

verb (used without object)

, e·volved, e·volv·ing.

1. to come forth gradually into being; develop; undergo evolution:

   The whole idea evolved from a casual remark.

2. to gradually change one's opinions or beliefs:

   candidates who are still evolving on the issue;

   an evolved feminist mom.

3. Biology. to develop by a process of evolution to a different adaptive state or condition:

   The human species evolved from an ancestor that was probably arboreal.

evolve

/ ɪˈvɒlv /

verb

1. to develop or cause to develop gradually
2. intr (of animal or plant species) to undergo evolution
3. tr to yield, emit, or give off (heat, gas, vapour, etc)

evolve

/ ĭ-vŏlv′ /

1. To undergo biological evolution, as in the development of new species or new traits within a species.
2. To develop a characteristic through the process of evolution.
3. To undergo change and development, as the structures of the universe.

Derived Forms

• eˈvolvable, adjective
• eˈvolver, noun
• eˈvolvement, noun

Other Words From

• e·volva·ble adjective
• e·volvement noun
• e·volver noun
• none·volving adjective
• self-e·volved adjective
• self-e·volving adjective
• une·volved adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of evolve¹

First recorded in 1635–45; from Latin ēvolvere “to unroll, open, unfold,” equivalent to ē- e- ¹ + volvere “to roll, turn”

Word History and Origins

Origin of evolve¹

C17: from Latin ēvolvere to unfold, from volvere to roll

Example Sentences

More than 3 billion years ago, on an Earth entirely covered with water, photosynthesis first evolved in little ancient bacteria.

From Science Daily

“As technology continues to advance, it is critical that our laws and practices evolve to meet the unique challenges of this era.”

From Los Angeles Times

Extremely sick patients like Patterson require bespoke phage cocktails that perfectly match their microbes, and may even need new phages as the bacteria evolve.

From Salon

Since the 1980s, Project 2025 asserted, Medicaid had “evolved into a cumbersome, complicated, and unaffordable burden on nearly every state.”

From Los Angeles Times

Desert beetles and lizards, for example, have evolved to develop surface structures that have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic areas and effectively capture moisture from the air.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• derive
• emerge
• expand
• get
• grow
• mature
• unfold