Develop Definition and Meaning
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 5, 2024
To develop means to grow or cause to grow and become more mature, advanced, or elaborate. e.g., Scientists continue to develop new ways to treat diseases.
Table of Contents
Develop Definitions
Advance Economically: To advance or grow in economic strength or infrastructure.
The government launched initiatives to develop the rural economy.
Cultivate Relationships: To build or strengthen relationships over time.
They took time to develop a strong friendship.
Evolve Ideas: To evolve or elaborate on ideas or theories.
Philosophers develop their theories through debate and discussion.
Build Physically: To construct buildings or land for use.
The company plans to develop a new shopping center.
Progress Emotionally: To grow or progress in emotional intelligence or stability.
Counseling can help individuals develop emotional resilience.
Advance Storylines: To progress or elaborate storylines in literature or film.
The writer took time to develop the plot carefully.
To bring from latency to or toward fulfillment
An instructor who develops the capabilities of each student.
To expand or enlarge
Developed a national corporation into a worldwide business.
To aid in the growth of; strengthen
Exercises that develop muscles.
To improve the quality of; refine
Develops his recipes to perfection.
An extra year of study to develop virtuosic technique.
To cause to become more complex or intricate; add detail and fullness to; elaborate
Began with a good premise but developed it without imagination.
(Music) To elaborate (a theme) with rhythmic and harmonic variations.
To bring into being gradually
Develop a new cottage industry.
To set forth or clarify by degrees
Developed her thesis in a series of articles.
To come to have gradually; acquire
Develop a taste for opera.
Develop a friendship.
To become affected with; contract
Developed a rash.
Developed agoraphobia.
To influence the behavior of toward a specific end
An investigator who develops witnesses through flattery and intimidation.
To cause (a tract of land or a building) to serve a particular purpose
Developed the site as a community of condominiums.
To make available and effective to fulfill a particular end or need
Develop the state's water resources to serve a growing population.
To convert or transform
Developed the play into a movie.
(Games) To move (a chess piece) to or toward a more strategic position.
To process (a photosensitive medium such as exposed film) in order to produce a photographic image.
To produce (a photographic image) by use of a photosensitive medium or by printing from a digital file.
To grow by degrees into a more advanced or mature state
With hard work, she developed into a great writer.
To increase or expand
Sales developed until we needed a bigger warehouse.
To improve; advance
Their skill developed until it rivaled their teacher's.
To come gradually into existence or activity
Tension developed between students and faculty.
To come gradually to light; be disclosed
Reports the news as it develops.
To progress from earlier to later stages of a life cycle
Caterpillars develop into butterflies.
To progress from earlier to later stages of evolution
Mammals developed during the Mesozoic Era.
To discover, find out; to uncover.
(intransitive) To change with a specific direction, progress.
Let's see how things develop and then make our decision.
(ambitransitive) To progress through a sequence of stages.
Isabel developed from a tropical depression to a tropical storm to a hurricane.
An embryo develops into a fetus and then into an infant.
(transitive) To advance; to further; to promote the growth of.
(transitive) To create.
I need to develop a plan for the next three weeks.
(transitive) To bring out images latent in photographic film.
Please develop this roll of film.
(transitive) To acquire something usually over a period of time.
I have been in England enough to develop a British accent.
You will develop calluses if you play the cello.
She developed bad eating habits.
To place one's pieces actively.
I need to develop my white-square bishop.
To cause a ball to become more open and available to be played on later. Usually by moving it away from the cushion, or by opening a pack.
(math) To change the form of (an algebraic expression, etc.) by executing certain indicated operations without changing the value.
To free from that which infolds or envelops; to unfold; to lay open by degrees or in detail; to make visible or known; to disclose; to produce or give forth; as, to develop theories; a motor that develops 100 horse power.
These serve to develop its tenets.
The 20th was spent in strengthening our position and developing the line of the enemy.
To unfold gradually, as a flower from a bud; hence, to bring through a succession of states or stages, each of which is preparatory to the next; to form or expand by a process of growth; to cause to change gradually from an embryo, or a lower state, to a higher state or form of being; as, sunshine and rain develop the bud into a flower; to develop the mind.
The sound developed itself into a real compound.
All insects . . . acquire the jointed legs before the wings are fully developed.
To advance; to further; to prefect; to make to increase; to promote the growth of.
We must develop our own resources to the utmost.
To change the form of, as of an algebraic expression, by executing certain indicated operations without changing the value.
To cause to become visible, as an invisible or latent image upon plate, by submitting it to chemical agents; to bring to view.
To go through a process of natural evolution or growth, by successive changes from a less perfect to a more perfect or more highly organized state; to advance from a simpler form of existence to one more complex either in structure or function; as, a blossom develops from a bud; the seed develops into a plant; the embryo develops into a well-formed animal; the mind develops year by year.
Nor poets enough to understandThat life develops from within.
To become apparent gradually; as, a picture on sensitive paper develops on the application of heat; the plans of the conspirators develop.
Make something new, such as a product or a mental or artistic creation;
Her company developed a new kind of building material that withstands all kinds of weather
They developed a new technique
Work out;
We have developed a new theory of evolution
Gain through experience;
I acquired a strong aversion to television
Children must develop a sense of right and wrong
Dave developed leadership qualities in his new position
Develop a passion for painting
Come to have or undergo a change of (physical features and attributes);
He grew a beard
The patient developed abdominal pains
I got funny spots all over my body
Well-developed breasts
Come into existence; take on form or shape;
A new religious movement originated in that country
A love that sprang up from friendship
The idea for the book grew out of a short story
An interesting phenomenon uprose
Change the use of and make available or usable;
Develop land
The country developed its natural resources
The remote areas of the country were gradually built up
Elaborate, as of theories and hypotheses;
Could you develop the ideas in your thesis
Create by training and teaching;
The old master is training world-class violinists
We develop the leaders for the future
Be gradually disclosed or unfolded; become manifest;
The plot developed slowly
Grow, progress, unfold, or evolve through a process of evolution, natural growth, differentiation, or a conducive environment;
A flower developed on the branch
The country developed into a mighty superpower
The embryo develops into a fetus
This situation has developed over a long time
Become technologically advanced;
Many countries in Asia are now developing at a very fast pace
Viet Nam is modernizing rapidly
Cause to grow and differentiate in ways conforming to its natural development;
The perfect climate here develops the grain
He developed a new kind of apple
Generate gradually;
We must develop more potential customers
Develop a market for the new mobile phone
Grow emotionally or mature;
The child developed beautifully in her new kindergarten
When he spent a summer at camp, the boy grew noticeably and no longer showed some of his old adolescent behavior
Make visible by means of chemical solutions;
Please develop this roll of film for me
Superimpose a three-dimensional surface on a plane without stretching, in geometry
Move one's pieces into strategically more advantageous positions;
Spassky developed quickly
Move into a strategically more advantageous position;
Develop the rook
Elaborate by the unfolding of a musical idea and by the working out of the rhythmic and harmonic changes in the theme;
Develop the melody and change the key
Happen;
Report the news as it develops
These political movements recrudesce from time to time
Expand in the form of a series;
Develop the function in the following form
Expand Knowledge: To gain or expand knowledge, skills, or understanding.
She took courses to develop her programming skills.
Create Technologically: To invent or create new products, especially in technology.
Engineers work to develop more efficient batteries.
Improve Abilities: To enhance or improve one's abilities or talents.
Regular practice helped him develop his musical talent.
Enhance Skills: To enhance or refine professional or personal skills.
She attended workshops to develop her leadership skills.
Develop Snonyms
Evolve
To develop gradually, especially from a simple to a more complex form.
The company has evolved over the years into a multinational corporation.
Grow
To increase in size or amount, or to become more advanced or developed.
The child has grown rapidly in the last year.
Innovate
To make changes in something established, especially by introducing new methods, ideas, or products.
The company strives to innovate to stay ahead of its competitors.
Enhance
To intensify, increase, or further improve the quality, value, or extent of.
She took courses to enhance her skills.
Foster
To encourage or promote the development of (something, typically something regarded as good).
The program fosters an appreciation of the arts.
Cultivate
To try to acquire or develop (a quality, sentiment, or skill).
He cultivated a reputation as a skilled negotiator.
Expand
To increase the size, volume, quantity, or scope of; to enlarge.
They plan to expand the business into new areas.
Refine
To remove impurities or unwanted elements from (a substance), typically as part of an industrial process; to improve something by making small changes.
He refined his painting technique over the years.
Generate
To cause (something, especially an emotion or situation) to arise or come about.
His comments generated a lot of controversy.
Nurture
To care for and encourage the growth or development of.
She nurtured her students' talents.
Develop Idioms & Phrases
Develop a thick skin
To become less sensitive to criticism or insults.
Working in the public eye, she had to develop a thick skin to handle the scrutiny.
Develop into
To grow or change into a particular state or thing over time.
The small startup has developed into a multinational corporation.
Develop under the radar
To grow or progress in a way that is not noticed by many people.
The technology was developed under the radar before being released to widespread acclaim.
Develop a backbone
To become more assertive or to stand up for oneself.
He needed to develop a backbone to confront his unfair boss.
Develop a plan
To create a strategy or a set of actions to achieve a goal.
The team met to develop a plan for the upcoming project.
Develop an eye for
To become good at noticing a particular type of thing.
As an art collector, he's developed an eye for identifying promising new artists.
Develop a taste for
To gradually start to like or enjoy something.
After living abroad for a year, he developed a taste for spicy food.
Develop wings
To gain independence or freedom to do what one wants.
After years of hard work, the entrepreneur finally felt like she had developed wings.
Develop cold feet
To become nervous or hesitant about doing something you had planned to do.
She was excited about skydiving but developed cold feet at the last minute.
Develop a new leaf
To start anew, especially with better behavior or attitude.
He's promised to develop a new leaf and take his studies more seriously.
Develop a mindset
To cultivate a particular way of thinking.
To succeed, it's crucial to develop a mindset of resilience and perseverance.
Develop a roadmap
To create a detailed plan or strategy to guide progress.
The workshop is designed to help new businesses develop a roadmap for success.
Develop a theory
To create an idea or set of ideas intended to explain something.
After years of research, he developed a theory that challenged traditional beliefs.
Develop one's voice
To refine or discover one's unique style or perspective, especially in creative work.
Through her writing, she has really developed her voice.
Develop a following
To gain supporters or admirers.
The band played small gigs at first but quickly developed a following.
Develop across the board
To improve or advance in all areas.
The company is looking to develop across the board, enhancing both product quality and customer service.
Develop ties
To establish relationships or connections.
The diplomat worked hard to develop ties with the foreign government.
Develop a habit
To start regularly doing something, often without intending to.
She's developed a habit of going for a walk every morning.
Develop a knack for
To become skilled at something through practice.
She's developed a knack for solving complex problems.
Develop out of
To arise or emerge from a particular origin or source.
The idea for the invention developed out of a need to save time in daily tasks.
Develop Example Sentences
Children develop their language skills rapidly in the first few years.
Farmers use new methods to develop sustainable farming practices.
The app developers are working hard to develop new features.
Scientists are researching to develop a vaccine for the virus.
She hopes to develop a career in environmental science.
It's important to develop a budget for your project.
The country is focusing on policies to develop renewable energy sources.
The athlete trains daily to develop his strength and speed.
Students should develop a study routine to improve their grades.
Artists often experiment with different mediums to develop their style.
Photographers develop an eye for detail through practice.
The team is excited to develop a solution to the problem.
The city's plan to develop the waterfront attracted much interest.
The company is looking to develop overseas markets.
Reading widely helps to develop critical thinking skills.
Common Curiosities
Why is it called develop?
It's called "develop" because it describes the process of growth, expansion, or improvement in detail and complexity. The term originates from the Old French "desveloper," meaning "to unwrap, unfurl."
How many syllables are in develop?
There are three syllables in "develop."
How is develop used in a sentence?
"The company plans to develop a new software product."
What is the pronunciation of develop?
"Develop" is pronounced as /dɪˈvɛləp/ in American English.
What is the root word of develop?
The root word of "develop" is from the Old French "desveloper," with earlier Latin influences from "dis-" (apart) and "volvere" (to roll).
How do we divide develop into syllables?
"Develop" is divided into syllables as "de-vel-op."
What is a stressed syllable in develop?
The stressed syllable in "develop" is the second syllable, "vel."
What is the verb form of develop?
"Develop" itself is the base form of the verb.
What is another term for develop?
Another term for "develop" could be "evolve" or "expand."
Is develop an adverb?
No, "develop" is not an adverb.
What is the first form of develop?
The first form (base form) of "develop" is "develop."
What part of speech is develop?
"Develop" is a verb.
What is the opposite of develop?
The opposite of "develop" could be "decline," "deteriorate," or "regress."
Is develop a vowel or consonant?
The word "develop" starts with a consonant sound, "d."
Is the word develop Gerund?
The gerund form of "develop" is "developing."
Is develop a countable noun?
"Develop" is not a noun; it is a verb, so the concept of being countable does not apply.
Is the develop term a metaphor?
"Develop" can be used metaphorically to describe various types of growth or expansion, not just in a physical sense.
Is the word develop imperative?
"Develop" can be used in the imperative form as a command or instruction, such as "Develop a new strategy."
Which vowel is used before develop?
The vowel used before "develop" depends on the preceding word and its grammatical structure, not on "develop" itself.
What is the singular form of develop?
As a verb, "develop" does not have a singular or plural form; it remains "develop."
Is develop a negative or positive word?
"Develop" is generally considered a positive word, as it implies growth, progress, or improvement.
Is develop a collective noun?
No, "develop" is a verb and not a noun.
Which determiner is used with develop?
Determiners are not typically used directly with verbs like "develop." Determiners are used with nouns.
Which conjunction is used with develop?
Conjunctions such as "and," "but," or "or" can be used with "develop" depending on the sentence structure.
What is the second form of develop?
The second form (simple past) of "develop" is "developed."
Is the word “develop” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
"Develop" is a verb and thus cannot be a direct or indirect object, but it can take both in sentences, such as "Develop it (direct object) for them (indirect object)."
Which preposition is used with develop?
Prepositions such as "into," "for," and "with" can be used with "develop," depending on the context, e.g., "develop into something," "develop for a purpose," "develop with care."
Which article is used with develop?
Articles are not typically used directly with verbs like "develop." Articles are used with nouns.
What is the third form of develop?
The third form (past participle) of "develop" is "developed."
What is the plural form of develop?
As a verb, "develop" does not change form for plural subjects; it remains "develop."
Is develop a noun or adjective?
"Develop" is a verb, not a noun or adjective.
Is develop an abstract noun?
"Develop" is not a noun; it is a verb. Therefore, it cannot be an abstract noun.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat