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develop

verb de·vel·op \di-ˈvel-əp, dē-\

: to cause (something) to grow or become bigger or more advanced

: to grow or become bigger or more advanced

: to create (something) over a period of time

Full Definition of DEVELOP

transitive verb

a : to set forth or make clear by degrees or in detail : expound <develop a thesis>

b : to make visible or manifest

c : to treat (as in dyeing) with an agent to cause the appearance of color

d : to subject (exposed photograph material) especially to chemicals in order to produce a visible image <develop film>; also : to make visible by such a method <develop pictures>

e : to elaborate (a musical idea) by the working out of rhythmic and harmonic changes in the theme

a : to work out the possibilities of <develop an idea>

b : to create or produce especially by deliberate effort over time <develop new ways of doing business> <develop software>

a : to make active or promote the growth of <developed his muscles>

b (1) : to make available or usable <develop natural resources> (2) : to make suitable for commercial or residential purposes <develop land>

c : to move (as a chess piece) from the original position to one providing more opportunity for effective use

a : to cause to unfold gradually <developed his argument>

b : to expand by a process of growth <working to develop the company further>

c : to cause to grow and differentiate along lines natural to its kind <rain and sun develop the grain>

d : to become infected or affected by <developed pneumonia>

: to acquire gradually <develop an appreciation for ballet>

intransitive verb

a : to go through a process of natural growth, differentiation, or evolution by successive changes <a blossom develops from a bud>

b : to acquire secondary sex characteristics

: to become gradually manifest

: to come into being gradually <the situation developing in eastern Europe>; also : turn out 2a <it developed that no one had paid the bill>

— de·vel·op·able \-ˈve-lə-pə-bəl\ adjective

See develop defined for English-language learners

See develop defined for kids

Origin of DEVELOP

French développer, from Old French desveloper, desvoluper to unwrap, expose, from des- de- + envoloper to enclose — more at envelop

First Known Use: 1750

Related to DEVELOP

Synonyms: elaborate, evolve, unfold

Antonyms: lose

Rhymes with DEVELOP

envelop

DEVELOP Defined for Kids

develop

verb de·vel·op \di-ˈve-ləp\

de·vel·opedde·vel·op·ing

Definition of DEVELOP for Kids

: to make or become plain little by little : unfold <From the microscopic point of Boone's pencil there developed a most amazing scene. — Lynne Reid Banks, The Indian in the Cupboard>

: to apply chemicals to exposed photographic material (as a film) in order to bring out the picture

: to bring out the possibilities of : improve <develop an idea>

: to make more available or usable <develop land>

: to begin to have gradually <develop a cough>

: to begin to exist or be present gradually <A romance developed between them.>

: to create over time <develop new medicines>

: to grow or cause to grow bigger, more mature, or more advanced <He's developing his muscles with exercise.>

— de·vel·op·er noun

Medical Dictionary

develop

transitive verb de·vel·op \di-ˈvel-əp\

Medical Definition of DEVELOP

a : to make active or promote the growth of <developed their muscles by weight lifting> b : to cause to grow and differentiate along lines natural to its kind <the zygote is gradually developed into the adult plant or animal>

: to become infected or affected by <developed pneumonia>

intransitive verb

: to go through a process of natural growth, differentiation, or evolution by successive stages <the fever develops normally> <the embryo develops into a well-formed human being>

: to acquire secondary sex characteristics <she is developing rapidly for a girl of 12>