develop
develop
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "develop" is /dɪˈvɛləp/.
de-: /dɪ/ (d as in "dog," i as in "bit")
vel-: /vɛl/ (v as in "van," e as in "bed," l as in "light")
op: /əp/ (schwa sound as in "about," p as in "pot"
Word Form Variations
Verb:
develop (base form)
develops (third-person singular simple present)
developing (present participle)
developed (simple past, past participle)
Noun:
development (the act or process of developing, a product of developing)
developer (one who develops)
Adjective:
developed (having undergone development, advanced)
developing (in the process of development)
developmental (relating to development)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb: develop
To grow or cause to grow and become more mature, advanced, or elaborate.
Synonyms: evolve, progress, advance, mature, expand, elaborate
Antonyms: regress, decline, deteriorate, stagnate, shrink
To create or bring into existence, often gradually or over time.
Synonyms: create, invent, devise, formulate, produce, establish
Antonyms: destroy, abolish, dismantle, negate, terminate
To acquire or reveal a disease, skill, or habit.
Synonyms: acquire, contract, incur, cultivate, form
Antonyms: lose, shed, abandon, prevent, avoid
To convert land or property to a new purpose, especially for building.
Synonyms: build, construct, establish, improve, utilize
Antonyms: neglect, abandon, demolish, raze
In photography, to process (a photographic film or plate) with chemicals to make a latent image visible.
Synonyms: process, print, enlarge
Antonyms: (No common antonyms in this specific context, as it's a unique process)
Noun: development
The process of growing, progressing, or advancing.
Synonyms: evolution, progress, advancement, maturation, expansion, elaboration
Antonyms: regression, decline, deterioration, stagnation, shrinkage
A new stage or event in a changing situation.
Synonyms: occurrence, event, happening, turning point, change
Antonyms: stasis, standstill, fixity, constancy
A developed area of land or an estate with new buildings.
Synonyms: complex, estate, project, community, settlement
Antonyms: wilderness, undeveloped land, ruin
Adjective: developed
Having reached an advanced or mature stage of growth or civilization.
Synonyms: advanced, mature, evolved, sophisticated, modern, industrialized
Antonyms: underdeveloped, undeveloped, primitive, backward, nascent
Adjective: developing
In the process of growing, advancing, or becoming more mature.
Synonyms: emerging, nascent, evolving, growing, expanding, progressing
Antonyms: developed, mature, declining, stagnant, receding
Noun: developer
A person or company that creates or improves property or software.
Synonyms: builder, contractor, creator, programmer, inventor
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, but one could consider "user" or "consumer" in some contexts, though not a true opposite)
Examples of Use
Newspapers:
"The county council announced plans to develop a new industrial park on the outskirts of town, aiming to attract more businesses and create jobs." (Local Newspaper, May 2024)
"Researchers continue to develop vaccines to combat emerging strains of the virus." (National Health Journal, June 2025)
Online Publications:
"Google is constantly working to develop new features for its search algorithm, improving user experience and relevance." (TechCrunch)
"The report highlights the urgent need for sustainable development in urban areas worldwide." (UN-Habitat website)
"A developer's guide to building secure web applications." (Smashing Magazine)
Books:
"The protagonist's character began to develop significantly after the traumatic incident, revealing a strength she never knew she possessed." (From a contemporary novel)
"The city's rapid development in the late 19th century transformed it from a quiet town into a bustling metropolis." (From a history textbook)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film Dialogue: "We need to develop a solid plan before we confront them." (From an action movie screenplay)
Video Game Description: "Explore a vast open world and develop your character's skills through various quests and challenges." (From a video game promotional material)
Podcast Discussion: "Today's episode delves into how artificial intelligence is developing and impacting various industries." (From a technology podcast, January 2025)
TV Show Plot: "The detective was trying to develop a profile of the suspect based on the available evidence." (From a crime drama series)
General Public Discourse:
"I'm trying to develop a healthier eating habit this year."
"The new software update has some interesting developments."
"She's a developing artist with a lot of potential."
"We need to invest more in the development of renewable energy sources."
"That situation could develop into something serious if we're not careful."
10 Quotes Using Develop
"In order to carry a positive action we must develop here a positive vision." (Dalai Lama)
"Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength." (Arnold Schwarzenegger)
"If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters." (Colin Powell)
"Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow." (Anthony J. D'Angelo)
"We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive." (Martin Luther King, Jr.)
"Life is a series of experiences, each one of which makes us bigger... For the world was built to develop character." (Henry Ford)
"Just as we develop our physical muscles through overcoming opposition - such as lifting weights - we develop our character muscles by overcoming challenges and adversity." (Stephen Covey)
"By constant self-discipline and self-control you can develop greatness of character." (Grenville Kleiser)
"We don't develop courage by being happy every day. We develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity." (Barbara De Angelis)
"It took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it, I am not going to be silent." (Madeleine Albright)
Etymology
The word "develop" has a really interesting journey through language! It essentially means to "unfold" or "uncover" something that was previously hidden or wrapped up.
It comes from French: The English word "develop" was borrowed from the French word "développer."
Back to Old French: "Développer" itself came from an older French word, "desveloper" or "desvoloper."
Breaking it down: This Old French word was made of two parts:
"des-": This prefix meant "undo" or "reverse an action," similar to how "de-" works in English words like "deconstruct."
"voloper" (or "vloper"): This part meant "to wrap up" or "to envelop." It's related to words that mean to roll or fold.
So, literally, "desveloper" meant to "unwrap" or "unfold."
First Known Use and Meaning:
The earliest known use of "develop" in English was around the mid-1600s (specifically, the 1650s). At that time, its primary meaning was "to unroll" or "unfold," like unrolling a scroll. This sense is actually quite rare today!
The more common meanings we use now, like "to grow," "to advance," or "to bring into existence," started to appear in the 18th century and later. These newer meanings came from the idea of something literally "unfolding" or "revealing" its potential over time, much like a seed "unfolding" into a plant or an idea "unfolding" into a full plan.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Develop
To develop a taste for something: To acquire a liking or preference for something over time.
To develop feelings for someone: To start having romantic or strong affectionate emotions for a person.
To develop a skill/habit: To acquire and improve a particular ability or consistent practice.
To develop a reputation: To gain a particular public standing or character.
A developing story: An ongoing news event that is still unfolding and changing.
Developing world/countries: Nations that are in the process of industrializing and improving their economic and social conditions.
To develop an argument/idea: To elaborate on or present a detailed case or concept.
To let things develop: To allow a situation to unfold naturally without immediate intervention.
To nip in the bud of development: To stop something from progressing at an early stage (using a synonym for "develop" for a similar idiomatic effect).
In the throes of development: Actively and intensely engaged in the process of creating or growing something (using a related concept).
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of develop from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
