Develop
/dɪˈveləp/
Definitions
4 meaningsTo grow or improve something, or for something to become more advanced or mature.
/dɪˈveləp/
To grow or cause to grow and become more mature, advanced, or elaborate.
The child is developing quickly.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're working on a cool project, like building a robot. To 'develop' means to work on it, make it better, and watch it grow from just an idea to something real!
👶 For kids: To make something grow bigger or better!
More Examples
The company is developing new products.
She is developing her artistic skills.
How It's Used
"The company is developing new marketing strategies."
"Scientists are developing new vaccines."
"He is developing his public speaking skills."
To expand upon an idea or concept, making it more detailed or comprehensive.
/dɪˈveləp/
To elaborate or expand (a theme or idea).
The speaker developed his argument with strong evidence.
💡 Simply: When you 'develop' an idea, it's like you're taking it apart and putting it back together again, but with a lot more detail. You're exploring it, giving it more depth.
👶 For kids: To talk or write more about something so people can understand it better.
More Examples
She developed the theme of love and loss in her poetry.
The scriptwriter developed the backstory of the main character.
How It's Used
"The author developed the characters throughout the novel."
"The lawyer developed his argument effectively."
To treat photographic film or plates with chemicals to make an image visible.
/dɪˈveləp/
To cause (a photographic image) to appear.
He developed the roll of film and was pleased with the photos.
💡 Simply: If you 'develop' a photograph, it's like magic! You take a picture, and then you use special stuff to make the picture appear on paper.
👶 For kids: To make a picture show up from a film!
More Examples
The professional developed the negatives in the lab.
She learned how to develop her own photographs in a darkroom.
How It's Used
"She developed the film in a darkroom."
To come to have or experience something; to start feeling or showing something.
/dɪˈveləp/
To experience or undergo; be affected by.
She developed a strong interest in science.
💡 Simply: Sometimes, you 'develop' something, like a cough or a new interest. It just pops up and starts happening.
👶 For kids: To get or start having something.
More Examples
He developed a rash after eating shellfish.
The team developed a winning strategy.
How It's Used
"She developed a cough."
"He developed an interest in the subject."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
develop a taste for something
To gradually start to like something that you did not like before.
"He developed a taste for spicy food after living in Thailand."
From Middle English *developpen*, from Old French *desveloper* (French: *développer*), from *des-* (dis-) + *veloper* (to wrap, envelop).
The word 'develop' has been used in English since the 17th century, initially to mean 'to unfold' or 'unroll' but gradually evolved to encompass a wide array of meanings related to growth, evolution, and elaboration.
Memory tip
Think of a seed developing into a plant - it grows and changes!
Word Origin
"to unwrap or unfold"