adj
Common
developmental
dih-veh-luhp-MEHN-tuhl
Developmental (adj) means relating to growth or development, especially of a child. Example: “The clinic tracks each child's developmental milestones.”
adj
1
Relating to growth or development, especially of a child.
"The clinic tracks each child's developmental milestones."
"Teachers noticed a developmental delay in his speech and suggested a check-up."
"Play is an important developmental stage for young children."
How to use developmental
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo do with the process of growing or developing.
Common pairings
developmental stage
developmental delay
developmental milestone
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Word forms
- Plural
- developmentals
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The clinic tracks each child's _____ milestones.
Etymology
Formed from development and -al.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for developmental
mental
dental
rental
parental
Oriental
elemental
accidental
ornamental
judgmental
incidental
monumental
regimental
See all rhymes for developmental →
Frequently asked questions
What does “developmental” mean?
The word “developmental” means relating to growth or development, especially of a child. In plain terms, to do with the process of growing or developing.
How do you pronounce “developmental”?
“Developmental” is pronounced dih-veh-luhp-MEHN-tuhl (/dɪˌvɛləpˈmɛntəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “developmental” in a sentence?
Here is “developmental” used in a sentence: “The clinic tracks each child's developmental milestones.”
What part of speech is “developmental”?
“Developmental” is an adjective.
Is “developmental” a common word?
“Developmental” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between developmental and development?
Development is the noun referring to the process of growth or change itself, while developmental is the adjective used to describe something related to that process, as in "developmental stages" or "developmental delay." Development names the process; developmental describes things connected to it.
What does developmental mean in the context of a child?
When applied to a child, developmental refers to anything relating to their growth, such as developmental milestones like walking or speaking, or developmental delay, which describes slower-than-typical progress in these areas.
Is developmental only used for children?
No, while developmental is common in discussions of child growth, it is also used more broadly for stages of growth or progress in other contexts, such as developmental editing of a manuscript or the developmental phase of a project.
