(~s, ~ing, ~ed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
1.
When something ~s, it grows or changes over a period of time and usually becomes more advanced, complete, or severe.
It’s hard to say at this stage how the market will ~...
These clashes could ~ into open warfare...
Society begins to have an impact on the ~ing child.
VERB: V, V into n, V-ing
~ed
Their bodies were well-~ed and super fit.
ADJ
2.
If a problem or difficulty ~s, it begins to occur.
A huge row has ~ed about the pollution emanating from a chemical plant.
...blood clots in his lungs, a problem which ~ed from a leg injury.
= arise
VERB: V, V from/out of n
3.
If you say that a country ~s, you mean that it changes from being a poor agricultural country to being a rich industrial country.
All countries, it was predicted, would ~ and ~ fast.
VERB: V
see also ~ed , ~ing
4.
If you ~ a business or industry, or if it ~s, it becomes bigger and more successful. (BUSINESS)
She won a grant to ~ her own business...
Over the last few years tourism here has ~ed considerably.
VERB: V n, V
~ed
Housing finance is less ~ed in continental Europe.
ADJ
5.
To ~ land or property means to make it more profitable, by building houses or factories or by improving the existing buildings.
Entrepreneurs ~ed fashionable restaurants and bars in the area.
VERB: V n
~ed
Developed land was to grow from 5.3% to 6.9%.
ADJ
6.
If you ~ a habit, reputation, or belief, you start to have it and it then becomes stronger or more noticeable.
Mr Robinson has ~ed the reputation of a ruthless cost-cutter.
= acquire
VERB: V n
7.
If you ~ a skill, quality, or relationship, or if it ~s, it becomes better or stronger.
Now you have an opportunity to ~ a greater understanding of each other...
Their friendship ~ed through their shared interest in the Arts.
VERB: V n, V
~ed
...a highly ~ed instinct for self-preservation.
ADJ
8.
If you ~ an illness, or if it ~s, you become affected by it.
The test should identify which smokers are most prone to ~ lung cancer...
A sharp ache ~ed in her back muscles.
VERB: V n, V
9.
If a piece of equipment ~s a fault, it starts to have the fault.
The aircraft made an unscheduled landing after ~ing an electrical fault.
VERB: V n
10.
If someone ~s a new product, they design it and produce it.
He claims that several countries have ~ed nuclear weapons secretly.
VERB: V n
11.
If you ~ an idea, theory, story, or theme, or if it ~s, it gradually becomes more detailed, advanced, or complex.
I would like to thank them for allowing me to ~ their original idea...
The idea of weather forecasting ~ed incredibly quickly.
VERB: V n, V
12.
To ~ photographs means to make negatives or prints from a photographic film.
VERB