- 1[intransitive, transitive] to gradually grow or become bigger, more advanced, stronger, etc.; to make something do this The child is developing normally. develop (from something) (into something) The place has rapidly developed from a small fishing community into a thriving tourist resort. develop something (from something) (into something) She developed the company from nothing.
Definitions on the go
Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.
new idea/product - 2[transitive] develop something to think of or produce a new idea, product, etc. and make it successful The company develops and markets new software. A new type of painkilling drug has recently been developed. Thesaurusmake
- do
- create
- develop
- produce
- generate
- form
- make to create or prepare something by combining materials or putting parts together; to cause something to exist or happen:She makes her own clothes. She made a good impression on the interviewer.
- do (somewhat informal) to make or prepare something, especially something artistic or something to eat:He did a beautiful drawing of a house. Who's doing the food for the party?
- create to make something exist or happen, especially something new that did not exist before:Scientists disagree about how the universe was created.
- Make is a more general word and is more often used for physical things: you would usually make a table/dress/cake but create jobs/wealth. You can use create for something physical in order to emphasize how original or unusual the object is:Try this new dish, created by our head chef.
- develop (used especially in business contexts) to think of and produce a new product:to develop new software
- produce to make things to be sold; to create something using skill:a factory that produces microchips
- generate to produce or create something, especially power, money, or ideas:to generate electricity Brainstorming is a good way of generating ideas.
- form [often passive] to make something from something else; to make something into something else:Rearrange the letters to form a new word. The chain is formed from 136 links.
- to make/create/develop/produce/generate/form something from/out of something
- to make/form something into something
- to make/produce wine/cheese
- to create/develop a new product
- to create/produce/generate income/profits/wealth
- to produce/generate electricity/heat/power
disease/problem - 3[intransitive, transitive] develop (something) to begin to have something such as a disease or a problem; to start to affect someone or something Her son developed asthma when he was two. The car developed engine trouble and we had to stop. happen/change
- 4[intransitive] to start to happen or change, especially in a bad way A crisis was rapidly developing in the Gulf. We need more time to see how things develop before we take action. become better
- 5[transitive, intransitive] develop (something) to start to have a skill, ability, quality, etc. that becomes better and stronger; to become better and stronger He's developed a real flair for management. Their relationship has developed over a number of years. build houses
- 6[transitive] develop something to build new houses, factories, etc. on an area of land, especially land that was not being used effectively before The site is being developed by a French company. idea/story
- 7[transitive] develop something to make an idea, a story, etc. clearer by explaining it further synonym elaborate on She develops the theme more fully in her later books.
- 8[transitive] develop something to treat film that has been used to take photographs with chemicals so that the pictures can be seen I had the film developed yesterday.
verb jump to other results
NAmE//dɪˈvɛləp//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they develop he / she / it develops
past simple developed
-ing form developing
Check pronunciation: develop