Definition of "develop" in English

verb

1. (transitive or impersonal, now rare) To discover, find out; to uncover.

2. (intransitive) To change with a specific direction, progress.

   • Let's see how things develop and then make our decision.

3. (ambitransitive) 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.
   • 1868-1869, Robert Owen, Comparative Anatomy and Physiology of Vertebrates All insects […] acquire the jointed legs before the wings are fully developed.

4. (transitive) To advance; to further; to promote the growth of.

5. (transitive) To create.

   • I need to develop a plan for the next three weeks.

6. (transitive) To bring out images latent in photographic film.

   • Please develop this roll of film.

7. (transitive) 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.
   • She developed bad eating habits.

8. (chess, transitive) To place one's pieces actively.

   • I need to develop my white-square bishop.

9. (snooker, pool) To 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.

10. (mathematics) To change the form of (an algebraic expression, etc.) by executing certain indicated operations without changing the value.