WordGarden.ioevolutionary
C1Pronunciation
UK
- /ɪvəlˈuːʃənəri/
US
- /ˌɛvəˈluʃəˌnɛri/
Meanings
Adjective
relating to biological evolution
involving gradual development or change over time
Beyond the definition
The word "evolutionary" describes something that is related to evolution or that changes slowly over time. We often think of biology first. For example, a bird's beak might slowly change shape over many generations so it can crack certain seeds more easily; that is an evolutionary adaptation.
Outside biology, the word can also describe slow, step-by-step development. A company's product might go through evolutionary changes as each new version improves the last one, or a writer's style might become more polished over the years. The term suggests gradual progress rather than a sudden dramatic change. It is closely linked to Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection, but you can also use it in other contexts where something develops bit by bit over time.
"Evolutionary" describes anything related to evolution or showing gradual development and change over time. It is most strongly associated with the biological process of evolution, which explains how living things change over many generations through natural selection. In that scientific sense, the word is used for traits, processes, or patterns connected to how species adapt and survive.
At its core, "evolutionary" points to change that happens in stages, not all at once. A classic biological example is the way a species may slowly develop features that help it live in its environment, such as thicker fur in colder places or coloring that helps it hide from danger. These are evolutionary traits because they emerge across generations, not in a single moment.
The word is also often used more broadly outside science. In these cases, it usually means gradual, steady improvement or change. A piece of software may go through evolutionary updates, with each version adding small improvements. A business may take an evolutionary approach to change by making careful adjustments instead of rebuilding everything at once. A person's ideas or creative style may also be described this way if they develop naturally over the years.
What matters most is the idea of step-by-step development. If a change is described as evolutionary, it usually means it grows out of what came before and happens in a connected, gradual way. This is different from a sudden, radical shift, which would usually be called revolutionary instead. So whether you are talking about biology, technology, language, business, or art, "evolutionary" suggests a process of change that unfolds over time.
Examples
- 1
Academic field
She studies evolutionary biology at university.
- 2
Species history
Fossils help scientists understand the evolutionary history of whales.
- 3
Survival trait
Warmer coats gave animals in cold climates an evolutionary advantage.
- Domainevolutionary advantage
a feature that helps a species survive and reproduce
- 4
Scientific perspective
From an evolutionary point of view, cooperation can be as important as competition.
- Phrasefrom an evolutionary point of view
when thinking about how a species developed over time
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Gradual change
The redesign was evolutionary rather than revolutionary, so regular users did not feel lost.
- Phraseevolutionary rather than revolutionary
changing gradually, not suddenly
See also
Similar
- developmental
- evolutional
Shades of meaning
- Darwinian
- adaptive
- phylogenetic
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- evolutionary biology
- evolutionary theory
- evolutionary change
- evolutionary advantage
Word family
Explore
- natural selection
- adaptation
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- evolutionaryadjective