Word
evolutionary
Phoneticsevo·lu·tion·ary
US/ˌɛvəˈɫuʃəˌnɛɹi/
UK/ɪvəlˈuːʃənəɹi/
Definitions
01biological evolution
B2 · Upper Intermediate Science Academic
adj. relating to the way living things change and develop over millions of years.
adj. relating to the biological theory of evolution and the genetic changes in populations over generations.
“Scientists study the evolutionary history of birds to see how they are related to dinosaurs.”
“The discovery of the fossil provided critical evidence regarding the evolutionary transition from aquatic to terrestrial life forms.”
Usage
Usually placed before the noun.
Synonyms
02gradual development
C1 · Advanced Academic · Formal
adj. relating to a slow and steady change in an idea, a business, or a system.
adj. characterised by or relating to a process of gradual, incremental development rather than sudden or revolutionary change.
“The company's success was due to evolutionary changes in its technology over ten years.”
“The senator argued for an evolutionary approach to policy reform, preferring steady adjustments over a radical overhaul of the existing system.”
Usage
Often contrasted with 'revolutionary'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “evolutionary” in context.
Adjective
01. evolutionary challenge
“Adapting to rapidly changing climates represents a significant evolutionary challenge for many species.”
adj + noun
02. evolutionary procedure
“The software uses an evolutionary procedure to optimize the design based on performance feedback.”
adj + noun
03. evolutionary history
04. appreciation evolutionary
05. evolutionary anthropology
06. evolutionary biologists
07. evolutionary biology
08. evolutionary pathway
Real-World Examples
“Indigenous Peruvians carry exceptionally high numbers of a starch-digestion gene, likely because people with more copies gained an evolutionary advantage once potatoes became a staple food.” “But after those early beginnings, major evolutionary milestones came very slowly.” Etymology
From evolution + -ary.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/evolutionary