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develop

3 syllables

verb

Quick answer

As a verb, develop means discover, find out.

Meanings of develop

31 meanings

verb

now rareTo discover, find out; to uncover.
To change with a specific direction, progress.
“Let's see how things develop and then make our decision.”
To progress through a sequence of stages.
“Isabel developed from a tropical depression to a tropical storm to a hurricane. An embryo develops into a fetus and then into an infant.”
To advance; to further; to promote the growth of.
To create.
“I need to develop a plan for the next three weeks.”
To bring out images latent in photographic film.
“Please develop this roll of film.”
To acquire something usually over a period of time.
“I have been in England enough to develop a British accent.”
“You will develop calluses if you play the cello.”
chessTo place one's pieces actively.
“I need to develop my white-square bishop.”
snookerpoolTo cause a ball to become more open and available to be played on later. Usually by moving it away from the cushion, or by opening a pack.
mathTo change the form of (an algebraic expression, etc.) by executing certain indicated operations without changing the value.
Make something new, such as a product or a mental or artistic creation
“Her company developed a new kind of building material that withstands all kinds of weather”
“They developed a new technique”
Work out
“We have developed a new theory of evolution”
Similar: evolve, germinate
Gain through experience
“I acquired a strong aversion to television”
“Children must develop a sense of right and wrong”
“Dave developed leadership qualities in his new position”
Similar: acquire, evolve
Come to have or undergo a change of (physical features and attributes)body
“He grew a beard”
“The patient developed abdominal pains”
“I got funny spots all over my body”
Similar: grow, produce, get, acquire