Development — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /di-ˈve-ləp-mənt/ de·vel·op·ment

Meaning & Definition of Development

Development (noun)

  1. the act, process, or result of developing
  2. the state of being developed
  3. a tract of land that has been made available or usable, a developed tract of land; especially, one with houses built on it

Development (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the act or process of going from the simple or basic to the complex or advanced

    "the development of an idea into a marketable product"

    similar: elaboration, evolution, expansion, growth, progress, progression
    related: advancement, betterment, improvement, perfection, refinement, incubation, maturation, maturing, ripening, blossoming, flourishing, flowering, addition, augmentation, enhancement, supplementation, emergence, evolvement, metamorphosis
    opposite: regress, regression, retrogression, reversion
    near: backslide, lapse, relapse, decadence, decay, decaying, declension, declination, decline, degeneracy, degeneration, degradation, descent, deterioration, devaluation, downfall, downgrade, ebbing, falling, weakening

  2. a condition or occurrence traceable to a cause

    "a development that the writers of the law never anticipated or intended"

    similar: aftereffect, aftermath, backwash, child, conclusion, consequence, corollary, effect, fate, fruit, issue, outcome, outgrowth, precipitate, product, result, resultant, sequel, sequence, upshot, matter of course
    related: ramification, denouement, echo, implication, repercussion, afterclap, afterglow, aftershock, blowback, by-product, fallout, offshoot, ripple, side effect, spin-off
    opposite: antecedent, causation, cause, occasion, reason
    near: consideration, determinant, factor, base, basis, foundation, ground, groundwork, impetus, incentive, inspiration, instigation, stimulus, mother, origin, root, source, spring

  3. the process of becoming mature

    "a tulip's development from a bulb into a flower"

    similar: growth, maturation, maturing, ripening
    related: blossoming, flourishing, flowering, mellowing, softening, evolution, evolvement, expansion, progression, coming-of-age, maturity
    near: decadence, decay, decaying, declension, decline, declining, degeneration, descent, deterioration, ebbing, fading, shriveling, waning, wilting, withering, death, decease, demise, dying, end, exit, expiration, expiring, expiry, perishing, regression, retrogression, reversion

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Development

The most common words with a similar meaning to Development:

elaboration, evolution, expansion, growth, progress, progression, aftereffect, aftermath, backwash, child, conclusion, consequence, corollary, effect, fate, fruit, issue, outcome, outgrowth, precipitate, product, result, resultant, sequel, sequence, upshot, maturation, maturing, ripening, matter of course

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Development

Words with the opposite meaning of Development:

regress, regression, retrogression, reversion, antecedent, causation, cause, occasion, reason

Related Words for Development

advancement, betterment, improvement, perfection, refinement, incubation, blossoming, flourishing, flowering, addition, augmentation, enhancement, supplementation, emergence, evolvement, metamorphosis, ramification, denouement, echo, implication, repercussion, afterclap, afterglow, aftershock, blowback, by-product, fallout, offshoot, ripple, side effect

Near Antonyms of Development

backslide, lapse, relapse, decadence, decay, decaying, declension, declination, decline, degeneracy, degeneration, degradation, descent, deterioration, devaluation, downfall, downgrade, ebbing, falling, weakening, consideration, determinant, factor, base, basis, foundation, ground, groundwork, impetus, incentive

Origin & Etymology of Development

First known use: 1724

Words & Phrases Containing Development

housing development, ribbon development, self-development, in development, research and development, hyperdevelopment, predevelopment, subdevelopment

Frequently Asked Questions about Development

What does "Development" mean?

"Development" means the act, process, or result of developing. As a noun, it is defined as: the act, process, or result of developing. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Development"?

Other words for "Development" include elaboration, evolution, expansion, growth, progress, progression, aftereffect and aftermath. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Development" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Development"?

There are 65 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Development". Common alternatives include elaboration, evolution, expansion, growth, progress, progression, aftereffect, aftermath, backwash and child.

What is the opposite of "Development"?

Antonyms of "Development" include regress, regression, retrogression, reversion, antecedent, causation, cause and occasion. Near antonyms include backslide, lapse, relapse and decadence.

How do you use "Development" in a sentence?

Examples of "Development" in a sentence: "the development of an idea into a marketable product"; "a development that the writers of the law never anticipated or intended"; "a tulip's development from a bulb into a flower".

Is "Development" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Development" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Development"?

"Development" is pronounced /di-ˈve-ləp-mənt/ and divided into syllables as de·vel·op·ment.

What is the origin of the word "Development"?

First known use: 1724.