evolve
ee-VOLV
/ɪˈvɒlv/
To develop gradually, or to cause something or someone to develop gradually.
Suggests a natural, organic process of adaptation and improvement over time.
The story behind the word. In ancient Rome, 'evolvere' meant to unroll a scroll. Imagine reading a long story by slowly unrolling the parchment—the plot 'evolves' as more is revealed. It wasn't until the 1800s that it became the primary term for biological change.
Word relationships
- develop: Develop is broader; evolve implies a process of adaptation to an environment.
- unfold: Unfold suggests revealing what was already there; evolve suggests changing into something new.
- stagnate: Stagnate means to stop developing or changing entirely.
Commonly confused with
- revolve: Revolve means to turn around a center; evolve means to develop outward.
Word family
- evolution (noun): The process of gradual development.
- evolutionary (adjective): Relating to the process of evolution.
Collocations
- evolve over time
- evolve into
- rapidly evolving
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 science
- "The smartphone did not appear out of nowhere; it evolved from earlier cellular phones and personal digital assistants." Technology
Memory hook
Think of 'unrolling' a scroll to see the future. E-volve = Un-roll. Unroll the change.
When not to use
Avoid using for mechanical assembly or purely artificial, non-adaptive changes.
Fun facts
- The word 'volume' comes from the same root, referring to the roll of parchment itself.
Related words
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