How Do You Spell DEVOLVE?

Pronunciation: [dɪvˈɒlv] (IPA)

The word "devolve" is spelled with four letters in English. It is pronounced /dɪˈvɒlv/. The first syllable is pronounced with a short "i" sound, represented by the IPA symbol /ɪ/. The "v" and "o" are pronounced as usual, but the "l" is silent. The final "ve" is pronounced with a short "o" sound, represented by the IPA symbol /ɒ/. Overall, the spelling of "devolve" can be slightly confusing due to the silent "l" and the unusual placement of the stressed syllable.

DEVOLVE Meaning and Definition

  1. Devolve is a verb that refers to the transfer or delegation of power, authority, or responsibility from one authority or entity to another, usually a subordinate entity or a lower level of administration. It signifies the process of distributing or passing down certain rights, duties, or functions to a lower level, resulting in a decentralization of power or decision-making.

    In a political context, devolution often implies the granting of limited self-government to regions or local governments within a larger political framework. It can involve the transfer of administrative, legislative, or financial powers to a region, allowing it to govern itself to some extent while still being part of a wider governing structure.

    Moreover, devolve can also indicate a regression or deterioration in quality, status, or condition. It can describe the decline or degradation of something, as in a situation where a complex task or responsibility is assigned to someone incapable of managing it effectively, leading to a decrease in efficiency or effectiveness.

    In a broader sense, devolve can refer to the process of passing or moving down to a lower or less centralized level, such as responsibilities within an organization or family, or even the transfer of genetic traits from one generation to another.

  2. To pass over from one person to another, as by succession; to deliver over to a successor; to fall upon or come to as by right.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for DEVOLVE *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for DEVOLVE

Etymology of DEVOLVE

The word "devolve" has its origins in the Latin verb "devolvere", which consists of "de" (meaning "down") and "volvere" (meaning "to roll"). In Latin, "devolvere" referred to rolling or handing something over from a higher authority to a lower one. Over time, this meaning evolved and in English, "devolve" came to be used for describing the transfer or delegation of power, responsibilities, or duties from one person or entity to another.

Idioms with the word DEVOLVE

  • devolve (up)on sm or sth The idiom "devolve upon someone or something" means to transfer or pass responsibility, duty, or authority onto someone or something else. It implies the delegation of a task or obligation to another person or entity.
  • devolve (up)on (someone or something) The idiom "devolve (up)on (someone or something)" refers to the act of transferring or shifting responsibility, duty, or burden from one person or entity to another, typically from a higher authority to a lower one. It implies that the higher authority delegates or passes on a task, obligation, or problem to someone or something considered less powerful or capable.

Similar spelling words for DEVOLVE

Conjugate verb Devolve

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have devolved
you would have devolved
he/she/it would have devolved
we would have devolved
they would have devolved
I would have devolve
you would have devolve
he/she/it would have devolve
we would have devolve
they would have devolve

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been devolving
you would have been devolving
he/she/it would have been devolving
we would have been devolving
they would have been devolving

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would devolve
you would devolve
he/she/it would devolve
we would devolve
they would devolve

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be devolving
you would be devolving
he/she/it would be devolving
we would be devolving
they would be devolving

FUTURE

I will devolve
you will devolve
he/she/it will devolve
we will devolve
they will devolve

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be devolving
you will be devolving
he/she/it will be devolving
we will be devolving
they will be devolving

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have devolved
you will have devolved
he/she/it will have devolved
we will have devolved
they will have devolved

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been devolving
you will have been devolving
he/she/it will have been devolving
we will have been devolving
they will have been devolving

IMPERATIVE

you devolve
we let´s devolve

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to devolve

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was devolving
you were devolving
he/she/it was devolving
we were devolving
they were devolving

PAST PARTICIPLE

devolved

PAST PERFECT

I had devolved
you had devolved
he/she/it had devolved
we had devolved
they had devolved

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been devolving
you had been devolving
he/she/it had been devolving
we had been devolving
they had been devolving

PRESENT

I devolve
you devolve
he/she/it devolves
we devolve
they devolve

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am devolving
you are devolving
he/she/it is devolving
we are devolving
they are devolving

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

devolving

PRESENT PERFECT

I have devolved
you have devolved
he/she/it has devolved
we have devolved
they have devolved

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been devolving
you have been devolving
he/she/it has been devolving
we have been devolving
they have been devolving

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it devolve

SIMPLE PAST

I devolved
you devolved
he/she/it devolved
we devolved
they devolved

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