2 syllables: e, volve. Stress on volve.
iv-AHLV
/ɪˈvɑlv/
evolve is pronounced iv-AHLV (/ɪˈvɑlv/). It has two syllables (e-volve), with the stress on "volve". evolve (v.) to develop gradually, often changing in complexity or form over time; to undergo growth or transformation, typically in stages. The term is used across science, culture, and personal development to describe progressive change from a simpler to a more complex state.
evolve (v.) to develop gradually, often changing in complexity or form over time; to undergo growth or transformation, typically in stages. The term is used across science, culture, and personal development to describe progressive change from a simpler to a more complex state.
"Biology explains how species evolve through natural selection."
"Technology evolves rapidly, making today’s devices seem primitive within a few years."
"Her thinking evolved after years of study and field experience."
You pronounce it with the initial short-ish 'eh' sound followed by 'volve'—/ɪˈvɒlv/ in US/UK/AU. The primary stress is on the second syllable: e- VOLVE. The final 've' is voiced and clear, not silent. Mouth posture: start with a relaxed jaw, lips at rest, then bring the tongue to a mid-high position for /ɪ/ before a rounded /v/ and the dark-ish /ɒ/ vowel before /lv/. IPA: US/UK/AU /ɪˈvɒlv/.
Common errors: misplacing stress (say e-volve /ˈiːvɒlv/); pronouncing /ɒ/ like /ɔː/ in some accents, or softening the 'v' into a 'b' sound. Correction tips: keep the primary stress on the second syllable, ensure the vowel you use is /ɪ/ in the first syllable rather than /iː/; land the /v/ clearly with top teeth on bottom lip, then glide into /ɒ/ and end with /lv/. Practicing with minimal pairs helps solidify the mid-vowel quality.
In US and UK, the second syllable carries the main stress: /ɪˈvɒlv/. Australian English mirrors US/UK, but often features a higher, more fronted /ɒ/ and a slightly more centralized /ɪ/ in rapid speech. Rhoticity is generally non-issue for evolution; the /ɜː/ or schwa is not used here. Overall vowel quality shifts are subtle; focus on the /ɒ/ vowel and the resonance of /lv/ to keep it sounding natural across accents.
Two main challenges: the combination of /ɪ/ and /v/ followed by /ɒ/ requires precise lip tension and teeth positioning; many speakers blur the /v/ or merge /ɪ/ with a schwa. Also, the /lv/ cluster at the end can invite a trailing, soft 'l' instead of a crisp /lv/. Lock the mid-front vowel, articulate the /v/ with clear labiodental contact, then release into the dark /ɒ/ before finishing with a clean /lv/ sequence.
The prefix doesn’t change the base pronunciation; it informs the stress pattern; the main stress remains on the second syllable. You should vocalize /ɪ/ in the first syllable, then place full phonetic energy on /ˈvɒlv/ during the second syllable. A unique aspect here is keeping the first syllable light and quick while the second carries stronger duration and force, ensuring a crisp ending /lv/ rather than a rolled or slurred finale.
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The word evolve comes from Latin evolvere, meaning to roll out or unroll. Evolvere is formed from e- (out) + volvere (to roll, turn). In Late Latin, evolvere described unrolling a scroll or unfolding a narrative, then broadening to convey unfolding development. In English, evolve appeared in the 17th century with senses of unrolling or developing gradually. Its modern scientific usage—especially in biology to denote gradual development of organisms or systems—solidified in the 19th century with the rise of evolutionary theory. The term has since extended metaphorically to describe any process of gradual change, from ideas and technologies to social structures and personal skills. The evolution of the word mirrors its core meaning: movement from a compact state to a more expansive, intricate one, often through stages of accumulation, refinement, and adaptation. First known use in English appears around the mid-1600s, initially outside biology; by the 19th century it became central to scientific discourse, and today it permeates everyday language as well as specialized fields.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "evolve" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "evolve"
-ved sounds
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