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Definition develop in British English

develop verb

verb
/dɪˈveləp/

Don’t write the -ed and -ing forms of develop with a double ‘p’. The correct spellings are developed and developing:

✗ We live in a world where everything is developping rapidly.

✓ We live in a world where everything is developing rapidly.

Don’t spell develop with a final ‘e’ (or development with an ‘e’ in the middle):

✗ As technology developes, we may find better solutions to diseases such as AIDS.

✓ As technology develops, we may find better solutions to diseases such as AIDS.

1

if people, animals, or plants develop, they change or grow as they get older

Example

All children develop at different rates.

Example

The cell then develops into an embryo.

Example

Fine white roots develop from the nodes on the stems.

Synonyms and related words
1.1

to grow something

Example

The tree will gradually develop tough bark.

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2

to become bigger or more successful as a company, business, or industry

Example

Markets for such high-priced products develop slowly.

Synonyms and related words
2.1

to make a company, business, or industry bigger or more successful

Example

The area is working to develop its tourist industry.

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3

to gradually become clear or complete as details are added

Example

The plot develops further in the second episode.

Synonyms and related words
3.1

to gradually add details to an idea, plan, story etc to make it more clear or complete

Example

I'd like to fully develop my idea before discussing it.

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4

to change as events or conditions change, especially to become more serious

Example

We're waiting to see how things develop before we evacuate anyone.

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5

to begin to be affected by a disease or medical condition

Example

She died two years after first developing the illness.

Synonyms and related words
5.1

to begin to appear as part of an illness or medical condition

Example

A rash developed in a couple of days.

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5.2

to begin to have something such as a feeling, habit, interest, or relationship

Example

She developed a taste for champagne while she was in France.

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5.3

to start to exist, or to start to be noticeable

Example

Their friendship developed at college.

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5.4

to begin to have a problem or difficulty

Example

One of the engines developed a problem soon after take-off.

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5.5

to begin to be a problem or cause difficulties

Example

Trouble with the neighbours soon developed.

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6

to successfully create and use a new product or method

Example

The companies recently teamed up to develop new communications software.

Synonyms and related words
Example

Get some advice on how to develop your physical strength.

Synonyms and related words
Example

A government lending programme is helping the region develop its economy.

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8

to use land for a particular purpose or in a way that increases its value

Example

A company applied to develop the land for housing.

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Synonyms and related words
Definition develop in British English