develop

verb

(transitive) To advance; to further; to promote the growth of.

(ambitransitive) To progress through a sequence of stages.

(intransitive) To change with a specific direction, progress.

(transitive) To create.

(transitive) To acquire something usually over a period of time.

(transitive) To bring out images latent in photographic film.

(chess, transitive) To place one's pieces actively.

(snooker, pool) 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.

(mathematics) To change the form of (an algebraic expression, etc.) by executing certain indicated operations without changing the value.

(transitive or impersonal, now rare) To discover, find out; to uncover.

Roots

disde- · Latin · un-, reversal volopervelop- · French · to wrap, envelop

Synonyms for develop

evolvev growv producev acquirev explicatev buildv germinatev cultivatev overdevelop originatev expandv establishv getv generatev inventv arisev devisev outgrowv improvev

Synonyms & related words for develop

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of develop — including evolve, grow, produce, acquire, explicate, build. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to develop

Explore words related to develop — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include formulate, modernize, nondevelopment, hypogenous, create, development, educate, redevelop. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for develop

Common synonyms for develop include evolve, grow, produce, acquire, explicate, build, germinate, cultivate — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does develop come from?

The word develop breaks down into 2 roots of Latin and French origin: de-, from Latin dis (“un-, reversal”); and velop, from French voloper (“to wrap, envelop”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.