de ‧ vel ‧ op S2 W1 /dɪˈveləp/ BrE AmE verb
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ developer , ↑ development , ↑ redevelopment ; verb : ↑ develop , ↑ redevelop ; adjective : ↑ developed ≠ ↑ undeveloped , ↑ developing ]
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Language: French ; Origin: développer , from Old French voloper 'to wrap' ]
1 . GROW [intransitive and transitive] to grow or change into something bigger, stronger, or more advanced, or to make someone or something do this ⇨ advance :
Knowledge in the field of genetics has been developing very rapidly.
Corsica has developed its economy around the tourist industry.
develop into
Chicago developed into a big city in the late 1800s.
develop from
It’s hard to believe that a tree can develop from a small seed.
exercises to develop muscle strength
2 . NEW IDEA/PRODUCT [transitive] to design or make a new idea, product, system etc over a period of time:
Scientists are developing new drugs to treat arthritis.
She should have developed her own style instead of copying him.
Researchers are developing technology for the US military.
3 . FEELING [transitive] to start to have a feeling or quality that then becomes stronger:
He had developed a certain affection for me.
develop a sense/awareness/knowledge of something
The children are beginning to develop a sense of responsibility.
It was in college that he developed a taste for (=started to like) rugby football.
4 . SKILL/ABILITY [intransitive and transitive] if you develop a skill or ability, or if it develops, it becomes stronger or more advanced:
The course is designed to help students develop their speaking skills.
5 . DISEASE [intransitive and transitive] if you develop a disease or illness, or if it develops, you start to have it:
Some alcoholics develop liver disease.
Pneumonia can develop very quickly.
6 . FAULT/PROBLEM [transitive] to begin to have a physical fault:
The oil tank had developed a small crack.
The plane developed engine trouble and was forced to land.
7 . PROBLEM/DIFFICULTY [intransitive] if a problem or difficult situation develops, it begins to happen or exist, or it gets worse:
Trouble is developing in the cities.
develop into
Regional clashes could develop into larger quarrels.
8 . IDEA/ARGUMENT [transitive] to make an argument or idea clearer, by studying it more or by speaking or writing about it in more detail:
We will develop a few of these points in the seminar.
9 . LAND [transitive] to use land for the things that people need, for example by taking minerals out of it or by building on it:
The land was developed for low-cost housing.
10 . PHOTOGRAPHY [intransitive and transitive] to make a photograph out of a photographic film, using chemicals:
Did you ever get the pictures developed?
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ make used about things you make yourself, or things that are made in a factory:
Diane makes all her own clothes.
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My camera was made in China.
▪ produce to make something in large quantities to be sold, or to make something as the result of a natural process:
The factory produces high-quality steel.
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Japan produces some of the most advanced mobile phones.
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The pancreas is a gland in your body which produces hormones.
▪ create to make something new and original:
Tarantino created a whole new style of films.
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Many companies invest a lot of money in creating new products.
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Potter was famous for creating characters such as ‘Peter Rabbit’.
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This technique is used to create images of beautiful forests.
▪ manufacture to make machines, cars, equipment etc in factories:
The company manufactures aircraft parts.
▪ mass-produce to make very large quantities of something in a factory:
They developed a way to mass-produce the drug.
▪ develop to design and make something new over a period of time:
In 1962, Enders developed an effective vaccine against measles.
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The company is developing new anti-virus software.
▪ form to make something as the result of a natural process or chemical reaction:
Hydrogen and oxygen combine to form water.
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The research will help us understand how planets are formed.
▪ generate to make something such as heat, electricity, or power:
Wind can be used to generate electricity.