adj
Darwinian
dah-WIH-nee-uhn
adj
1
Relating to Charles Darwin's theory that species evolve through natural selection.
"The textbook gives a clear summary of Darwinian evolution."
"Darwinian theory reshaped how biologists understand species change."
2
Fiercely competitive, as if only the strongest survive.
"The startup world can feel brutally Darwinian, with only the fittest companies surviving."
How to Use Darwinian
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection, or more loosely, describing any harshly competitive "survival of the fittest" situation.
Common pairings
Darwinian evolution
Darwinian struggle
Darwinian theory
Word Forms
more Darwinian comparative, Darwinians plural, most Darwinian superlative
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Etymology
From the surname Darwin plus the adjective-forming suffix -ian, referring to the naturalist Charles Darwin.