evolve

verb

i-ˈvälv How to pronounce evolve (audio)
-ˈvȯlv,
ē-,
 also  -ˈväv,
 or  -ˈvȯv
evolved; evolving

transitive verb

1
: emit
2
a
b
: to produce by natural evolutionary processes
c
: develop, work out
evolve social, political, and literary philosophiesL. W. Doob

intransitive verb

: to undergo evolutionary change
evolvable
i-ˈväl-və-bəl How to pronounce evolve (audio)
-ˈvȯl-
ē-
 also  -ˈvä-və-
 or  -ˈvȯ-və-
adjective
evolvement
i-ˈvälv-mənt How to pronounce evolve (audio)
-ˈvȯlv-
ē-
 also  -ˈväv-
 or  -ˈvȯv-
noun

Examples of evolve in a Sentence

Her company has evolved from a hobby into a thriving business. Some flowers have evolved remarkable means of insect pollination.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Passive income has evolved beyond real estate and dividend stocks and there are now new paths like digital products and YouTube channels that are worth exploring. Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025 But fans in Connecticut and beyond quickly fell in love with their dynamic as TikTok dances evolved into lengthy live streams, and their relationship goes even deeper when the cameras aren’t on. Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2025 Cephalopods such as octopuses and squid have evolved biological suckers that can adapt to each surface and attach to them. ArsTechnica, 28 June 2025 One year prior, Delevingne spoke to PEOPLE about the importance of honoring the community and how Pride has evolved over the years. Andrea Wurzburger, People.com, 28 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for evolve

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin ēvolvere "to roll out or away, unwind, unroll, narrate (a series of events)," from ē-, variant of ex- ex- entry 1 before voiced consonants + volvere "to set in a circular course, cause to roll, bring round" — more at wallow entry 1

First Known Use

1772, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of evolve was in 1772

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Evolve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/evolve. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

evolve

verb
i-ˈvälv How to pronounce evolve (audio)
-ˈvȯlv
evolved; evolving
1
: to develop or work out from something else
evolved a new plan
evolved a safer design from the old one
2
: to produce by a process of evolution
3
: to change by a process of evolution
evolvable adjective

Medical Definition

evolve

verb
evolved; evolving

transitive verb

: to produce by natural evolutionary processes

intransitive verb

: to develop by or as if by evolution : undergo evolutionary change
an evolving theory of mental functioningS. A. Green

More from Merriam-Webster on evolve

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