English Reference

Word

developmentally

Phoneticsde·vel·op·men·tal·ly

US/dɪˌvɛɫəpˈmɛnəɫi/

UK/dɪvˈɛləpmˈɛntəli/

Definition

adv. in a way that relates to how a person or thing grows and changes over time. You use this to describe things that happen as part of a natural process of becoming more mature.

adv. relating to the process of growth, maturation, or evolution over time. Often used in psychological or biological contexts to describe stages of progress.

Examples

“The child is developing well developmentally for her age.”

“The researchers studied how the brain changes developmentally during the first decade of life.”

“While the software is technically advanced, it lacks the developmentally appropriate features required to engage younger users effectively.”

Examples

simple

“The child is developing well developmentally for her age.”

contextual

“The researchers studied how the brain changes developmentally during the first decade of life.”

complex

“While the software is technically advanced, it lacks the developmentally appropriate features required to engage younger users effectively.”

Real-World Examples

“But when it comes to safety and independence, neuroscience suggests a different question may be more important: Is your child developmentally ready to stay home alone?”
Phys.org · 17 Aug 2026
“I believe that the most successful partnerships occur when adults meet young people where they are, both developmentally and physically.”
The Conversation · 23 Jul 2026
“Developmentally, high schoolers are building greater autonomy, stronger problem-solving skills and increased risk-taking behaviors, while developing a sense of where they belong.”
The Conversation · 6 Jul 2026

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

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English Reference