Meaning & use
devolve
Last updated
Meanings
verbtransitive
To transfer power or responsibility from a central government to a lower level.
Grammar: Often used in the passive: powers were devolved to the region.
Patterns
- devolve something to someone
- devolve power to something
- be devolved to something
The government devolved some powers to the Scottish Parliament.
Education was devolved to local authorities.
They plan to devolve more decisions to the regions.
verbintransitive
To gradually become worse or change into a bad state.
Grammar: Often followed by 'into': devolve into chaos.
Patterns
- devolve into something
- devolve from something
The discussion devolved into a shouting match.
The peaceful protest devolved into violence.
Their friendship devolved into bitter rivalry.
Word forms
| third person singular | devolves |
|---|---|
| past tense | devolved |
| past participle | devolved |
| -ing form | devolving |
Common combinations
- devolve into chaos
- The meeting devolved into chaos after the argument.
- devolve power
- The new law will devolve power to local councils.
- devolve responsibility
- We need to devolve responsibility to team leaders.
- devolve to
- Some tax powers were devolved to the region.
Synonyms and how they differ
- transfer
- A general word for moving something from one place or person to another; devolve is used specifically for power moving downward.
- delegate
- Means to give a task or authority to someone lower; devolve is more formal and often about government power.
- degenerate
- Means to become worse in quality or character; devolve into is similar but often suggests a loss of order.
Opposites
Word family
- devolution noun
- The transfer of power to a lower level, especially within a country.
- devolved adjective
- Having power transferred to a local government.
Commonly confused: devolve or evolve?
devolve vs evolve
Evolve means to develop gradually, often in a positive way; devolve means to transfer power or to get worse.
Practice
The argument quickly ______ a fight.
Choose one answer.
The phrase 'devolve into' means to change into a worse state. 'Devolve to' is used for transferring power to a place or person, not for a fight.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “devolve”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.