# evolved

/iˈvɑɫvd/ (US) · /ɪvˈɒlvd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/evolved
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. developed over time

verb · CEFR B2

changed slowly over a long period to become better or more complex.

For teachers: developed gradually by a process of natural or logical progression. This past tense form often takes the preposition 'from'.

- The small family business evolved into a global company over thirty years.
- The species evolved from a common ancestor that lived in the tropical rainforests millions of years ago.

### 2. advanced or sophisticated

adjective · CEFR B2

having reached a high level of development or thinking.

For teachers: having reached a sophisticated or highly developed state through iterative change.

- They have a very evolved way of solving problems without arguing.
- The software features an evolved user interface that anticipates the needs of professional designers.

### 3. biologically gifted

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal · Humorous

having special or better physical abilities than others.

For teachers: possessing superior biological or physical traits, often used in a lighthearted or speculative context.

- He is so fast on the pitch that he seems more evolved than the rest of us.
- In many science fiction stories, the characters encounter evolved humans who possess telepathic abilities.

## Examples

- The small family business evolved into a global company.
- Scientists believe that birds evolved from small feathered dinosaurs over millions of years.
- The legal framework has evolved significantly since the original statute was drafted, reflecting broader societal shifts in how we define privacy and digital ownership.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.