evolve
gb/ɪvˈɑlv/ us/ɪvˈɑlv/
B2
English
~ 2500
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B2
action
1
Develop or change slowly over time
To slowly change or grow into something better or more advanced.
Usage pattern:
to evolve into [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'evolve' with 'involve'; 'evolve' means to develop, while 'involve' means to include or engage.
Synonyms
develop (General term for growth or progress; less emphasis on gradual, long-term change.)
|
progress (Focuses on forward movement or improvement, often in a positive sense.)
Antonyms
regress (Means to return to a worse or less developed state.)
Collocations
evolve into
|gradually evolve
|continue to evolve
|evolve over time
Themes
change
|development
|growth
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The company has evolved into a global leader in technology.
- Her style of writing has evolved over the years.
- Over millions of years, the species evolved to survive in the harsh climate.
Learner examples
- Plants evolve slowly over time.
- My English skills have evolved in the last year.
- The small store evolved into a big supermarket.
Verb
technical
B2
action
2
Change in species over generations
When animals or plants slowly change over many years so they can live better in their environment.
Common mistake:
Learners may think evolution happens within an individual’s lifetime; it actually occurs across generations.
Synonyms
adapt (In biology, refers specifically to adjusting to environment; can also be short-term changes.)
Antonyms
go extinct (Opposite outcome of failing to adapt or evolve over time.)
Collocations
species evolve
|organisms evolve
|evolve traits
Themes
science
|biology
|evolution
|nature
Examples
- Birds evolved from small dinosaurs millions of years ago.
- Some bacteria have evolved resistance to antibiotics.
- The fish evolved larger fins to swim faster.
Learner examples
- Dinosaurs evolved into birds.
- Bacteria can evolve to resist medicine.
- Animals evolve to fit their home.
Verb
formal
C1
action
3
Cause gradual development of something
To make something grow or change slowly over time.
Usage pattern:
to evolve [a plan/method/system]
Synonyms
formulate (Often used for carefully planning; not necessarily gradual.)
Antonyms
abandon (To stop developing or working on something.)
Collocations
evolve a strategy
|evolve a system
Themes
planning
|development
|core_vocabulary
|work
Examples
- They evolved a new method for processing data.
- Over the years, the committee evolved a comprehensive policy.
- The team evolved its approach based on feedback.
Learner examples
- We evolved a new plan for the project.
- The school evolved better rules for students.
- They evolved a new way to make bread.
Grammar
Dictionary form
evolve
IPA
GB/ɪvˈɑlv/
US/ɪvˈɑlv/
Syllables & stress
evolve (1 syllable)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: evolve
- 3rd Person Singular: evolves
- Present Participle: evolving
- Past: evolved
Word family
Forms
evolves
verb
evolving
verb
evolved
verb
Core family
evolution
noun B1
evolutionary
adjective B2
Negative and opposite forms
unevolved
adjective
Advanced or less common
evolutionarily
adverb
coevolve
verb
coevolution
noun
Expressions
continue to evolve
1/kəntˈɪnju tə ɪvˈɑlv/
fixed phrase
Keep changing and developing over time
To keep growing or changing without stopping.
Examples
- Fashion trends continue to evolve every season.
- Technology will continue to evolve rapidly in the coming years.
evolve into
2/ɪvˈɑlv ˈɪntu/
fixed phrase
Change into something else over time
To slowly become something different or more advanced.
Examples
- The blog evolved into a full-fledged news website.
- A small argument evolved into a major conflict.