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