evolution
English meaning: Evolution
Definition
The slow change of living things over many generations as they adapt to their surroundings.
Example
“The theory of evolution explains how today's many species arose from common ancestors.”
Another example: “The book traces the evolution of the English language over a thousand years.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A noun used in biology for the gradual development of species, and more broadly for any slow process of change ("the evolution of jazz," "the evolution of the smartphone"). The verb is "evolve"; the adjective "evolutionary." Usually uncountable.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Latin 'evolutio', meaning an unrolling.
Synonyms
- development
- progression
- transformation
Antonyms / Opposites
- stagnation
Related Words
- evolve
- natural selection
- darwin
- adaptation
- species
- mutation
Common Collocations
- theory of evolution
- human evolution
- process of evolution
- evolution of species
- gradual evolution
- darwin's theory of evolution
Word Forms
evolve (v); evolved; evolution (n); evolutionary (adj)
Word Tools
Tools & Calculators
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B