develop
dih-VEHL-uhp
Develop (verb) means to grow or change gradually into a more advanced state. Example: “Her interest in music began to develop when she was very young.”
verb
1
To grow or change gradually into a more advanced state.
"Her interest in music began to develop when she was very young."
"The town has developed rapidly over the last decade."
"Children develop language skills at different rates."
2
To create or work something out over time.
"Engineers are developing a cheaper way to clean water in remote villages."
"She developed a plan for paying off her debts over two years."
"The team developed a new app for tracking expenses."
3
To treat photographic film chemically so its image becomes visible.
"The shop will develop your holiday photos in about an hour."
"In the darkroom, she watched the faint image develop in the tray."
"He still develops his own black-and-white film at home."
How to use develop
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo grow, build, or bring something into being step by step; also used for processing camera film.
Common pairings
develop a plan
develop a habit
develop software
develop film
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- develops
- Past tense
- developed, developt
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her interest in music began to _____ when she was very young.
Etymology
From French développer, ultimately from a Vulgar Latin word meaning "to unwrap" — the opposite of "envelop".
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “develop” mean?
The word “develop” means to grow or change gradually into a more advanced state. In plain terms, to grow, build, or bring something into being step by step; also used for processing camera film.
How do you pronounce “develop”?
“Develop” is pronounced dih-VEHL-uhp (/dɪˈvɛl.əp/ in IPA).
How do you use “develop” in a sentence?
Here is “develop” used in a sentence: “The town has developed rapidly over the last decade.”
What part of speech is “develop”?
“Develop” is a verb.
Where does the word “develop” come from?
The word “develop” comes from Vulgar Latin. From French développer, ultimately from a Vulgar Latin word meaning "to unwrap" — the opposite of "envelop".
Is “develop” a common word?
“Develop” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “develop” have?
“Develop” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to grow or change gradually into a more advanced state.
What is the difference between develop and grow?
Grow usually means to increase in size, number, or amount. Develop means to change and improve gradually into a more advanced or complete state. A child can grow taller while developing new skills. Growth is often about quantity, whereas development is about progress, refinement, and reaching a fuller form.
What is the difference between develop and evolve?
Both describe gradual change, but develop suggests progress toward a fuller or more advanced state, often guided by effort or intention. Evolve suggests slower, natural change over time, as in biology, without a set goal. You develop a business plan; a species evolves. Develop implies purpose; evolve implies adaptation.
What are the different meanings of develop?
Develop has several senses. It can mean to grow or advance ('skills develop'), to create or build something ('develop software', 'develop land'), to bring out gradually ('develop an idea'), or, in photography, to treat film so an image appears. The common thread is bringing something into a fuller, more finished form.
Can a skill be developed, or is it purely natural?
Skills can absolutely be developed. To develop a skill means to improve it gradually through practice, learning, and experience. While some people start with natural aptitude, almost any ability, from public speaking to coding, grows stronger the more it is trained, refined, and used over time.
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