Developing

/dɪˈvɛləpɪŋ/

verbBeginner🔥Very CommonAction
3 meanings2 idioms/phrases4 questions

Definitions

3 meanings
1

To grow or improve something.

/dɪˈvɛləpɪŋ/

verbneutralBeginner
Action

To grow or cause to grow and become more advanced or mature.

The economy is developing rapidly.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're building a Lego castle. *Developing* means you're adding more blocks, making it bigger and better, just like you're improving something.

👶 For kids: To get bigger or better. Like when a baby grows up.

More Examples

2

She is developing a new interest in painting.

3

The students are developing their project.

How It's Used

Business

"The company is developing new products."

Science

"Scientists are developing a new vaccine."

Personal Growth

"She is developing her skills in public speaking."

2

To make a photographic image appear.

/dɪˈvɛləpɪŋ/

verbneutralmedium
Action

To cause (a photographic film or plate) to become visible by treating it with chemicals.

She carefully developed the film in the darkroom.

💡 Simply: Remember those old cameras? *Developing* a photo is like a magical process where you take an invisible picture and make it appear on paper.

👶 For kids: Making a picture show up from a special paper.

More Examples

2

The photographs were sent out for developing.

3

He learned how to develop pictures.

How It's Used

Photography

"He is developing the photographs in the darkroom."

Tip:Picture the photographer making the image magically appear on the paper.
3

In the process of being developed or improved.

/dɪˈvɛləpɪŋ/

adjectiveneutralBeginner
Status

In the process of growth or improvement.

The company is operating in a developing market.

💡 Simply: *Developing* can also mean something is still growing or improving. Like a new skill or a business that's just starting out.

👶 For kids: Something that is growing up or getting better.

More Examples

2

The developing story in the news is quite interesting.

3

They provide support to the developing world.

How It's Used

Economics

"Developing countries often face significant challenges."

Environmental Science

"The project aims to protect the developing ecosystem."

Tip:Something that's *developing* is still a work in progress, always getting better.

Idioms & expressions

developing countries

Countries that are still in the process of economic growth and industrialization.

"Many NGOs work to provide aid to developing countries."

developing world

A term used to refer to the countries that are still in the process of economic growth.

"The developing world faces significant challenges."

From Middle English *develupen*, from Old French *develuper* (to unwrap, unfold), likely influenced by Italian *sviluppare*. It gained popularity in English in the 17th century, initially related to the unrolling of something physical before it was applied to abstract growth.

The use of 'develop' to refer to economic or social progress became common in the 20th century, particularly after World War II, to describe countries and regions.

Memory tip

Think of a seed slowly *developing* into a plant.

Word Origin

LanguageFrench
Original meaning

"To unwrap or unfold; to evolve."

developing countrydeveloping skillsdeveloping a plandeveloping the film

Common misspellings

developpingdevoloping

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written