Word
developmental
Phoneticsde·vel·op·men·tal, stress on the fourth syllable
US/dɪˌvɛɫəpˈmɛnəɫ/
UK/dɪvˈɛləpmˈɛntəl/
Definitions
01growth and progress
B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic
adj. related to the way something grows, changes, or improves over time.
adj. relating to the systematic process of growth, maturation, or evolution in a person, project, or organism.
“The doctor checked the child's developmental milestones to make sure she was growing well.”
“The study tracks developmental changes in cognitive processing from early childhood through adolescence to identify critical windows for learning.”
Usage
Often used in psychology, biology, and business contexts to describe stages of progress.
Synonyms
02experimental or early stage
C1 · Advanced Science Technical
adj. related to the early stages of making or testing a new product.
adj. relating to the experimental or preliminary stage of a product or system's lifecycle.
“The company is still in the developmental phase of its new electric car engine.”
“The aircraft is currently undergoing developmental testing to ensure the new wing design can withstand extreme turbulence.”
Usage
Commonly used in engineering and pharmaceutical industries.
Synonyms
03a trainee
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Technical
n. a person who is still learning a job, especially a flight controller.
n. a professional trainee, specifically used within aviation to refer to a student air traffic controller.
“The developmental spent the afternoon practicing landings on the flight simulator.”
“As a developmental at the busy regional hub, he was required to complete five hundred hours of supervised radar operation before certification.”
Usage
This noun sense is highly specific to the aviation industry.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “developmental” in context.
Adjective
01. developmental challenge
“Learning to interact with peers is a major developmental challenge for young children.”
adj + noun
02. developmental procedure
“The lab followed a strict developmental procedure to ensure the new software was stable.”
adj + noun
Real-World Examples
“Researchers understand "risky play" to be adventurous, challenging and uncertainty-based activities that offer developmental benefits .” “In our bountiful age, there are many options: romaine, red-leaf lettuce, butter lettuce, beet greens, bok choy, bitter radicchio, every developmental stage of arugula.” Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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