Meaning & use
evolve
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Meanings
verbintransitive
To change and develop gradually into a different or more advanced form.
Grammar: No object: ideas evolve; often followed by into or from.
Patterns
- evolve into something
- evolve from something
Our small club evolved into a national association.
Her style evolved over the years.
The language evolves with each generation.
verbintransitivebiology
In biology, to change over many generations through inherited variation and natural selection.
Grammar: No object: species evolve.
Patterns
- evolve from something
- evolve to do something
Birds evolved from small dinosaurs.
Bacteria can evolve resistance to drugs.
The species evolved to survive in cold water.
verbtransitiveformal
To work out or develop a plan or idea step by step.
Grammar: Takes an object; formal.
Patterns
- evolve a strategy
The committee evolved a new approach to funding.
Word forms
| third person singular | evolves |
|---|---|
| past tense | evolved |
| past participle | evolved |
| -ing form | evolving |
Common combinations
- evolve into
- The small project evolved into a company.
- evolve over time
- Customs evolve over time.
- continue to evolve
- The technology continues to evolve.
- evolve rapidly
- The virus evolved rapidly.
- gradually evolve
- Plans gradually evolved.
Synonyms and how they differ
- develop
- More general and may be quicker.
- progress
- Implies improvement, which evolve does not.
- adapt
- Stresses changing to suit conditions.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: evolve or revolve?
evolve vs revolve
Revolve means to turn around a point, not to develop.
Practice
Which sentence uses evolve correctly in its biological sense?
Choose one answer.
Evolve describes gradual change across generations. The others misuse it.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “evolve”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.