development

/dɪˈvɛləpmənt/
nounIntermediate
general

The process of growth or advancement in a particular area.

Economic development is crucial for improving living standards.

Economic growth and progress are essential for improving living standards.

💡

Can refer to physical, economic, or personal growth.

💻Technology
technical

The creation or improvement of a product, service, or system.

The software development team worked on new features.

The software creation and improvement team worked on new features.

💡

Common in software, real estate, and business contexts.

Collocations

economic developmentgrowth of a country's economypersonal developmentimprovement of one's skills or characterreal estate developmentconstruction of buildings or infrastructure

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

under developmentphrase
in the process of being created or improved
developmental stagephrase
a phase in a process of growth

💡Pro Tip

Context Matters

The meaning of 'development' changes based on context—economic, personal, or technological.

Gold Rule

Avoid Overgeneralization

Specify the type of development (e.g., 'economic development') to avoid ambiguity.

📖Word Origin

From Middle English *developen* (to unfold), from Old French *desenvolup* (to unroll), from Latin *e-* (out) + *volvere* (to roll).

📝Usage Notes

Can refer to both natural growth and intentional improvement efforts.

Word Breakdown

de-
out, away from
prefix
+
-velop
to roll, unfold
root
+
-ment
the result of an action
suffix
English Dictionary