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
L. W. Doobintransitive verb
: to undergo evolutionary change
evolvable
i-ˈväl-və-bəl
adjective -ˈvȯl-
ē-
also -ˈvä-və-
or -ˈvȯ-və-
evolvement
i-ˈvälv-mənt
noun -ˈvȯlv-
ē-
also -ˈväv-
or -ˈvȯv-
Synonyms
- develop
- elaborate
- unfold
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 As Hardin and Tessa's relationship continues to evolve, Tiffin enjoyed getting to explore new layers of both characters in this film. Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 6 Sep. 2022 The company’s business model continues to evolve to include services aimed at various tax credit programs beyond those sparked by a global health crisis. Georgann Yara, The Arizona Republic, 1 Sep. 2022 But Richards also warns that Korean pop culture will need to evolve if its success is to have a long-term future. Patrick Frater, Variety, 20 Aug. 2022 The African safari continues to evolve, branching out to appeal to a broader variety of travelers. Jen Murphy, WSJ, 17 Aug. 2022 The culture of healthcare will need to move beyond a closed approach, and the habits of using data to properly and effectively deliver their services will need to evolve. Joe Gagnon, Forbes, 15 Aug. 2022 The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines largely spur antibodies to protect us, but T cell immunity may hold its own even as the virus continues to evolve. Ryan Cross, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Aug. 2022 The humble straw that became a flashpoint in the broader battle over environmentalism continues to evolve. Elliot Lewis, NBC News, 30 July 2022 In 2030, that number will only rise as our society continues to evolve. Shirin Etessam, Rolling Stone, 29 July 2022 See More
Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 6 Sep. 2022 The company’s business model continues to evolve to include services aimed at various tax credit programs beyond those sparked by a global health crisis. Georgann Yara, The Arizona Republic, 1 Sep. 2022 But Richards also warns that Korean pop culture will need to evolve if its success is to have a long-term future. Patrick Frater, Variety, 20 Aug. 2022 The African safari continues to evolve, branching out to appeal to a broader variety of travelers. Jen Murphy, WSJ, 17 Aug. 2022 The culture of healthcare will need to move beyond a closed approach, and the habits of using data to properly and effectively deliver their services will need to evolve. Joe Gagnon, Forbes, 15 Aug. 2022 The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines largely spur antibodies to protect us, but T cell immunity may hold its own even as the virus continues to evolve. Ryan Cross, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Aug. 2022 The humble straw that became a flashpoint in the broader battle over environmentalism continues to evolve. Elliot Lewis, NBC News, 30 July 2022 In 2030, that number will only rise as our society continues to evolve. Shirin Etessam, Rolling Stone, 29 July 2022 See More 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
Kids Definition
evolve
verb
i-ˈvälv
evolved; evolving
: to change or develop gradually
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
S. A. Greenevolved 1 of 2
adjective
as in improved
being far along in development whether this is an evolved technology or one still in its infancy is a matter of debate Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- improved
- advanced
- higher
- developed
- enhanced
- high
- refined
- progressive
- late
- educated
- modern
- grown
- matured
- forward
- civilized
- perfected
- enlightened
- new
- newest
- ripened
- aged
- contemporary
- precocious
- now
- ripe
- mature
- latest
- novel
- recent
- current
- full-blown
- full-fledged
- newfangled
- ultramodern
- full-scale
- mod
- supermodern
- cutting-edge
- leading-edge
- new-fashioned
- up-to-date
- present-day
- space-age
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- primitive
- retarded
- lower
- rudimentary
- backward
- low
- undeveloped
- underdeveloped
- rude
- immature
- green
- nonprogressive
- early
- savage
- undersized
- uncivilized
- unripe
- unripened
- uneducated
- primordial
- underweight
- primeval
- embryonic
- past
- undersize
- obsolete
- old
- antiquated
- dated
- germinal
- outworn
- antediluvian
- antique
- hoary
- fusty
- musty
- passé
- oldfangled
- out-of-date
- old-fashioned
- Neanderthal
- old-time
- Neandertal
evolved
2 of 2verb
1
as in progressed
to gradually become clearer or more detailed as the governor's plans for the reform of state government evolved, objections from various groups inevitably arose Synonyms & Similar Words
- progressed
- unfolded
- developed
- elaborated
- grew
- emerged
- proceeded
- matured
- blossomed
- forged
- advanced
- marched
- ripened
- fared
- got on
- materialized
- got along
- played out
2
as in radiated
to throw or give off baking soda and citric acid react with each other and evolve carbon dioxide Synonyms & Similar Words
- radiated
- released
- emitted
- emanated
- eliminated
- cast
- issued
- exhaled
- expelled
- irradiated
- discharged
- threw out
- poured
- erupted
- expired
- vented
- exuded
- oozed
- excreted
- gave out
- evacuated
- secreted
- sent (out)
- shot
- ejected
- sprayed
- spewed
- spouted
- gushed
- squirted
- spurted
- outpoured
- jetted
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- absorbed
- inhaled
- soaked (up)
- took up
- sucked (up)
- sponged
- collateralize
- collateralized
- collateralizes
- collateralizing
- collaterally
- collaterals
- collates
- collating
- collating mark
- collatio bonorum
- collatio bonorums
- collation
- collation in
- collation inter haeredes
- collation inter liberos
- collational
- collationes bonorum
- collations
- collative
- collator
- collators
- colleague
- colleagued
- colleagues
- colleagueship