Word
devolve
Phoneticsde·volve
US/dɪˈvɑɫv/
UK/dɪvˈɒlv/
Definition
v. to pass power or responsibility from a central authority to a local group. It can also mean to become worse or less important over time.
v. to transfer power or responsibility from a central authority to a local or subordinate body; to pass down in a hereditary line. In a negative sense, it describes a process of deterioration or a return to a primitive state.
Examples
“The government decided to devolve more power to the local councils.”
“After the central government devolved control over education, each city began developing its own unique curriculum.”
“The once-thriving port city began to devolve into a series of isolated fishing villages as the main trade routes shifted further south.”
Examples
simple
“The government decided to devolve more power to the local councils.”
contextual
“After the central government devolved control over education, each city began developing its own unique curriculum.”
complex
“The once-thriving port city began to devolve into a series of isolated fishing villages as the main trade routes shifted further south.”
Real-World Examples
“Health and social care in Northern Ireland is a devolved matter, and therefore the responsibility of the Department of Health NI, rather than the UK Department of Health.” “As memories are tumbled up, this breezy romcom devolves into an airing of dirty laundry.” Etymology
Borrowed from Latin dēvolvō (“roll or tumble off or down”), from dē + volvō (“roll”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/devolve