ENGLISH
REFERENCE

evolved

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //iˈvɑɫvd// UK //ɪvˈɒlvd// evolved Informal

v. to change and develop slowly over a long time into a better or more complex form. You use this to describe how animals, plants, or even ideas grow and improve.

v. to develop gradually from a simple to a more complex form through a process of cumulative change. Intransitive in its biological sense; often used transitively when describing the deliberate development of a concept or product.


SIMPLE

The small family business evolved into a global company.

CONTEXTUAL

Scientists believe that birds evolved from small feathered dinosaurs over millions of years.

COMPLEX

The legal framework has evolved significantly since the original statute was drafted, reflecting broader societal shifts in how we define privacy and digital ownership.

Synonyms
Usage

Often takes the preposition 'from' to indicate the origin or 'into' to indicate the result.

Pitfall

The technology was evolved quicklyThe technology evolved quicklyWhen describing a process of natural or automatic change, the verb is intransitive and should not be used in the passive voice.

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