Darwinian

Meanings

1. 1adjectivebefore a noun

   relating to Charles Darwin or his theory that living things change over time by natural selection

   Grammar: Used before a noun: Darwinian evolution. It can also come after a linking verb: The explanation is Darwinian.

   Patterns

   • Darwinian theory
   • Darwinian evolution
   • a Darwinian view

   The class discussed Darwinian theory and how species adapt.

   Her research takes a Darwinian approach to animal behavior.

   Many biologists accept a Darwinian explanation for these fossils.

2. 2adjectivebefore a nounfigurative

   characterized by intense competition in which only the strongest or best adapted succeed

   Grammar: Used figuratively before a noun: a Darwinian struggle. It describes harsh competition, not biological evolution.

   Patterns

   • a Darwinian struggle
   • Darwinian competition

   The startup world is often described as a Darwinian struggle for survival.

   Politics can feel like a Darwinian contest where only the toughest survive.

3. 3nouncountable

   a person who supports Darwin's ideas about evolution

   Grammar: Countable: a Darwinian, two Darwinians. Often capitalized.

   Patterns

   • a Darwinian

   As a Darwinian, she defends natural selection against its critics.

   The debate attracted Darwinians and creationists alike.

Common combinations

Darwinian theory

Darwinian theory explains how species change over generations.

Darwinian evolution

The museum exhibit focuses on Darwinian evolution.

Darwinian struggle

The business world is a Darwinian struggle for market share.

Darwinian approach

They took a Darwinian approach to studying cooperation.

Synonyms and how they differ

evolutionary

Broader and not tied to Darwin specifically; use it when you mean any theory of gradual change over time, not just Darwin's.

selectionist

More technical and focuses on natural selection as a mechanism; Darwinian is the everyday term for ideas linked to Darwin.

Word family

Darwinism noun

The theory of evolution developed by Charles Darwin.

Darwinist noun

A supporter of Darwin's ideas; similar to Darwinian as a noun.

Darwin proper noun

The English naturalist who proposed the theory of natural selection.

Commonly confused: Darwinian or Darwinian vs. Lamarckian?

Practice

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