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- pronunciation:
- dih
ve
l
 p
- parts of speech:
- transitive verb, intransitive verb
- features:
- Word Combinations (verb), Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| inflections: |
develops, developing, developed |
| definition 1: |
to bring out the potential of; advance to a more complete or more effective condition.
The coach is attempting to develop the team this year so that it can contend for the championship.It took time and great effort to develop the land for crops.She has a certain natural talent, but she needs to develop it.- synonyms:
- evolve, further
- similar words:
- advance, educate, enhance, form, germinate, improve, perfect, plan, promote, reinforce
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| definition 2: |
to cause to gain strength; cause to grow.
Doing these exercises will develop your leg muscles.- synonyms:
- strengthen
- similar words:
- build, germinate, grow, mature, ripen
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| definition 3: |
to add detail to; elaborate.
He is developing the plot for his new novel.Researchers are gathering additional data that they hope will help develop their theory.- synonyms:
- amplify, elaborate, enlarge, expand
- similar words:
- explicate, magnify, plan, unfold
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| definition 4: |
to bring into being or operation; generate.
Our company is developing a new product that we hope to launch next year.- synonyms:
- establish, evolve, generate, institute
- similar words:
- breed, constitute, create, form, hatch, originate
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| definition 5: |
in photography, to treat (exposed film) chemically so as to create a visible image.
He went into the darkroom to develop the film.- similar words:
- print, process
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| definition 6: |
to become afflicted with.
Her doctor says she is developing diabetes.He developed a rare tropical disease during the war.- similar words:
- contract
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| related words: |
bear, civilize, cultivate, culture, dilate, elaborate, enlarge, establish, evolve, exercise, expose, extend, found, institute, labor, mastermind, nurture, pioneer, rear, shape, spring, start |
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| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| definition 1: |
to become more complete or more effective; advance.
The teams skills are developing rapidly.Her knowledge of Japanese has clearly developed.- synonyms:
- advance, evolve, progress
- similar words:
- improve
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| definition 2: |
to emerge gradually; unfold.
The plot develops in a way that intrigues the reader.- similar words:
- rise, show, unfold
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| definition 3: |
to come into being or operation.
We are reporting on a situation that has just developed in the Middle East.When did this new scheme develop?Unfortunately, there developed some unsolvable problems in implementing this very elaborate plan.- synonyms:
- become, evolve
- similar words:
- amount, breed, emerge, form, originate, propagate, rise, shape, spring
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| definition 4: |
to become stronger; grow.
Babies develop at a rapid pace.
- synonyms:
- advance, grow, strengthen
- similar words:
- amount, bloom, blossom, build, burgeon, flower, germinate, mature, progress, ripen
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| related words: |
age, become, branch out, brew, bud, differentiate, enlarge, flourish, get, grow, grow up, organize, result, rise, start, wax |
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| derivation: |
developed (adj.) |
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