development
gb/dɪvˈɛləpmənt/ us/dɪvˈɛləpmənt/
A2
English
~ 300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
event
1
Growth or improvement process
The process of getting bigger, better, or more advanced.
Usage pattern:
[something]'s development
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'development' with 'improvement' — 'development' can also mean growth in size or complexity, not just quality.
Synonyms
growth (Often refers to physical or measurable increase, while 'development' can include qualitative improvement.)
|
progress (Focuses on forward movement or advancement, sometimes less structured than 'development'.)
Antonyms
decline (Refers to a decrease or worsening, the opposite of improvement.)
|
regression (A return to a less advanced state.)
Collocations
economic development
|personal development
|career development
|rapid development
|development process
Themes
business
|education
|science
Examples
- The city has seen rapid development in recent years.
- Her career development has been impressive.
- Early childhood development is crucial for future learning.
- The software is still in development.
- Economic development is a priority for the government.
Learner examples
- The town has new shops because of fast development.
- His English development is very good.
- Children need good food for healthy development.
- The game is still in development.
- Development of the park will start next year.
Noun
B2
action
2
Creation or design process
The process of making and planning something new.
Usage pattern:
development of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'development' with 'production'. Development happens before and during creation, production is making the final product.
Synonyms
creation (Emphasizes bringing something into existence; 'development' includes refining it.)
|
design (Focuses on planning the form or structure; 'development' may continue into production.)
Antonyms
abandonment (Stopping work on something before it is finished.)
Collocations
product development
|software development
|film development
|urban development
Themes
technology
|business
|arts
|work
Examples
- The company invested heavily in product development.
- He works in software development.
- The film is still in development stages.
- Urban development is changing the city's skyline.
Learner examples
- She works in game development.
- The new app is in development.
- Urban development brings new houses and roads.
- The studio started movie development last year.
Noun
B1
event
3
New event or change in situation
A new thing that happens and changes the situation.
Usage pattern:
a development in [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'development' here with 'progress'. In this sense, it simply means a change, not always positive.
Synonyms
event (General term for something that happens; 'development' suggests it affects an ongoing situation.)
|
turn of events (More dramatic phrase for a change in circumstances.)
Antonyms
status quo (The existing state without change.)
Collocations
recent development
|surprising development
|new development
|welcome development
Themes
news
|politics
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Examples
- There have been several new developments in the case.
- This is a welcome development for our community.
- In a surprising development, he agreed to the deal.
Learner examples
- There was a new development in the story.
- A surprising development happened today.
- This is a good development for our school.
Noun
A2
entity
4
Built area or project
A place where new houses or buildings are built together as a project.
Synonyms
estate (Common in British English for a planned housing area.)
|
complex (Often used for groups of buildings serving one purpose.)
Antonyms
wilderness (An undeveloped natural area.)
Collocations
housing development
|residential development
|commercial development
Themes
real estate
|urban planning
|housing
|business
Examples
- They moved into a new housing development.
- The city approved plans for a commercial development.
- This coastal development includes hotels and shops.
Learner examples
- We live in a new housing development.
- The city made a big shopping development.
- They are building a new housing development near the park.
Grammar
Dictionary form
development
IPA
GB/dɪvˈɛləpmənt/
US/dɪvˈɛləpmənt/
Syllables & stress
de - vel - op - ment (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (vel)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: development
- Plural: development, developments
Word family
Forms
developments
noun
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
undeveloped
adjective
underdeveloped
adjective
Expressions
in development
1/ˈɪn dɪvˈɛləpmənt/
fixed phrase
Currently being created or designed
Still being made or planned and not finished yet.
Examples
- Several new games are currently in development.
- The project has been in development for over two years.
personal development
1/pˈɚsənəl dɪvˈɛləpmənt/
fixed phrase
Improving personal skills and abilities over time
When you work to improve your skills and yourself over time.
Examples
- Personal development can help you succeed at work.
- She attends workshops for personal development.
real estate development
1/ɹˈil ɪstˈeɪt dɪvˈɛləpmənt/
fixed phrase
Property building business activity
The work of making buildings on land to sell or rent them.
Examples
- He works in real estate development.
- Real estate development has transformed the downtown area.
economic development
1/ˌɛkənˈɑmɪk dɪvˈɛləpmənt/
fixed phrase
Improvement of economy and living standards
When a country gets more jobs, better businesses, and higher living standards over time.
Examples
- Economic development has reduced poverty levels in the region.
- Tourism is vital for the region's economic development.
- The government launched a plan for economic development.
- The conference focused on strategies for sustainable economic development.