1 VERB To devalue something means to cause it to be thought less impressive or less deserving of respect. □ [V n] They spread tales about her in an attempt to devalue her work. ● de|valued ADJ □ Police officers feel devalued and let down.
2 VERB To devalue the currency of a country means to reduce its value in relation to other currencies. □ [V n + by ] The yuan was devalued by about 4 per cent. [Also V n] ● de|valua|tion /diː væ ljue I ʃ ə n/ (devaluations ) N‑VAR □ It will lead to devaluation of a number of European currencies.
dev|as|tate /de vəste I t/ (devastates , devastating , devastated ) VERB If something devastates an area or a place, it damages it very badly or destroys it totally. □ [V n] A few days before, a fire had devastated large parts of Windsor Castle.
dev|as|tat|ed /de vəste I t I d/ ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If you are devastated by something, you are very shocked and upset by it. □ Teresa was devastated, her dreams shattered.
dev|as|tat|ing /de vəste I t I ŋ/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as devastating , you are emphasizing that it is very harmful or damaging. [EMPHASIS ] □ Affairs do have a devastating effect on marriages.
2 ADJ You can use devastating to emphasize that something is very shocking, upsetting, or terrible. [EMPHASIS ] □ The diagnosis was devastating. She had cancer.
3 ADJ You can use devastating to emphasize that something or someone is very impressive. [EMPHASIS ] □ …a devastating display of galloping and jumping. ● dev|as|tat|ing|ly ADV [usu ADV adj/-ed] □ Its advertising is devastatingly successful.
dev|as|ta|tion /de vəste I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Devastation is severe and widespread destruction or damage. □ A huge bomb blast brought chaos and devastation to the city yesterday.
de|vel|op ◆◆◆ /d I ve ləp/ (develops , developing , developed )
1 VERB When something develops , it grows or changes over a period of time and usually becomes more advanced, complete, or severe. □ [V ] It's hard to say at this stage how the market will develop. □ [V + into ] These clashes could develop into open warfare. □ [V -ing] Society begins to have an impact on the developing child. ● de|vel|oped ADJ □ Their bodies were well-developed and super fit.
2 VERB If a problem or difficulty develops , it begins to occur. □ [V ] A huge row has developed about the pollution emanating from a chemical plant. □ [V + from/out of ] …blood clots in his lungs, a problem which developed from a leg injury.
3 VERB If you say that a country develops , you mean that it changes from being a poor agricultural country to being a rich industrial country. □ [V ] All countries, it was predicted, would develop and develop fast.
4 → see also developed , developing
5 VERB If you develop a business or industry, or if it develops , it becomes bigger and more successful. [BUSINESS ] □ [V n] She won a grant to develop her own business. □ [V ] Over the last few years tourism here has developed considerably. ● de|vel|oped ADJ □ Housing finance is less developed in continental Europe.
6 VERB To develop land or property means to make it more profitable, by building houses or factories or by improving the existing buildings. □ [V n] Entrepreneurs developed fashionable restaurants and bars in the area. [Also V ] ● de|vel|oped ADJ □ Developed land was to grow from 5.3% to 6.9%.
7 VERB If you develop a habit, reputation, or belief, you start to have it and it then becomes stronger or more noticeable. □ [V n] Mr Robinson has developed the reputation of a ruthless cost-cutter.
8 VERB If you develop a skill, quality, or relationship, or if it develops , it becomes better or stronger. □ [V n] Now you have an opportunity to develop a greater understanding of each other. □ [V ] Their friendship developed through their shared interest in the Arts. ● de|vel|oped ADJ □ …a highly developed instinct for self-preservation.
9 VERB If you develop an illness, or if it develops , you become affected by it. □ [V n] The test should identify which smokers are most prone to develop lung cancer. □ [V ] A sharp ache developed in her back muscles.
10 VERB If a piece of equipment develops a fault, it starts to have the fault. □ [V n] The aircraft made an unscheduled landing after developing an electrical fault.
11 VERB If someone develops a new product, they design it and produce it. □ [V n] He claims that several countries have developed nuclear weapons secretly.
12 VERB If you develop an idea, theory, story, or theme, or if it develops , it gradually becomes more detailed, advanced, or complex. □ [V n] I would like to thank them for allowing me to develop their original idea. □ [V ] The idea of weather forecasting developed incredibly quickly.
13 VERB To develop photographs means to make negatives or prints from a photographic film. SYNONYMS develop VERB
1
grow: The economy continues to grow.
progress: Were you surprised that his disease progressed so quickly?
evolve: As medical knowledge evolves, beliefs change.
advance: Medical technology has advanced considerably.
flourish: Business flourished and within six months they were earning 18,000 roubles a day.