develop

developverb

To develop is to grow, change, or come into being step by step, or to make something do this.

1. grow or changegrow or change slowly into something bigger, stronger, or more advanced

   intransitive [I] verb + adverb or preposition [V + adv/prep]

   • Children develop at different speeds.
   • The small village has developed into a busy town. V + adv/prep
   • Their friendship developed slowly over the years.

   Collocations

   verb + adverb develop quickly, develop slowly, develop normally

   verb + preposition develop into something, develop from something

   Synonyms grow

2. make bettermake something bigger, stronger, or better over time

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj]

   • She wants to develop her language skills. V + obj
   • The company plans to develop its business in other countries. V + obj
   • Reading every day helps children develop their imagination. V + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun develop skills, develop a business, develop a relationship

   adverb + verb fully develop, further develop

   Synonyms improve

3. make something newthink of and make a new product, idea, or way of doing something

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj]

   • Scientists are developing a new medicine for the disease. V + obj
   • The team developed a faster way to sort the mail. V + obj
   • They spent two years developing the game. V + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun develop a product, develop software, develop a plan, develop a method

   Compare invent; create

4. begin to havestart to have an illness, a problem, or a feeling

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj]

   • He developed a bad cough after the trip. V + obj
   • The car developed engine trouble on the way home. V + obj
   • She has developed an interest in old music. V + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun develop a cough, develop a problem, develop an interest in something, develop a taste for something

   Synonyms get

5. explain moreexplain an idea or a plan more fully and in more detail

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj]

   • The writer develops this idea in the next chapter. V + obj
   • You need to develop your argument before you give the talk. V + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun develop an idea, develop an argument, develop a theme

6. build on landbuild houses, offices, or other buildings on an area of land

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj]

   • They plan to develop the land near the river. V + obj
   • The old factory site is being developed for new homes. V + obj (passive)

   Collocations

   verb + noun develop land, develop a site, develop an area

7. photographsput a film through chemicals so that the pictures on it can be seen

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj]

   • He develops his own photos at home. V + obj
   • We took the film to a shop to have it developed. V + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun develop a film, develop photos