evolve
ee-VOLV
/iˈvɒlv/
To develop gradually, especially from a simple to a more complex form.
Evolution is typically slow, incremental, and adaptive, rather than sudden or forced.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'e-' (out) and 'volvere' (to roll). It originally referred to the unrolling of a scroll to read it, suggesting a gradual revelation of a story or process.
Word relationships
- develop: A broader term that can apply to any kind of growth or progress.
- unfold: Suggests a natural progression or revelation of something that was already present.
- regress: To return to a former or less developed state.
- stagnate: To stop developing or making progress.
Commonly confused with
- revolutionize: To revolutionize is to change something radically and quickly, the opposite of evolving.
Word family
- evolution (noun): the process of gradual development
- evolutionary (adjective): relating to the process of evolution
Collocations
- gradually evolve
- evolve into
- constantly evolve
- evolve from
Example sentences
- "There is grandeur in this view of life... from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved." Biological theory. (Charles Darwin, On the Origin of Species)
- "Social norms evolve over time as new generations challenge the beliefs of their parents." Social development.
Memory hook
Think of a scroll 'unrolling' (evolving) to show the next part of the story. Unroll the story.
When not to use
Avoid using it for rapid, revolutionary changes where 'transform' or 'upheaval' would be more appropriate.
Fun facts
- The term was first used in a biological sense in the 17th century, long before Darwin.
- In mathematics, an evolute is a specific type of curve.
Related words
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