devolve
de·volve/dɪˈvɑlv/verb
devolve is spelled D-E-V-O-L-V-E: 7 letters and 2 syllables (de·volve). It appears about once in every 2 million words in written English, the 37,943rd most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As a verb, devolve means “To be inherited by someone else; to pass down upon the next person in a succession, especially through failure or loss of an earlier holder” (English Wiktionary, September 2026).
How many letters and syllables are in devolve?
| Letters | 7: D-E-V-O-L-V-E |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 2: de·volve |
| In writing | about once in every 2 million words; the 37,943rd most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
| Rhymes with | |
| Same letters |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media); rhymes and same-letter words are computed by PlainSpell from its own word list.
How common is devolve?
Devolve appears about once in every 2 million words in written English, the 37,943rd most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce devolve?
- UK /dɪˈvɒɫv/
- US /dɪˈvɑlv/
- US /diˈ-/
Devolve has 2 syllables, split de·volve in writing.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: LL-Q1860_(eng)-Vealhurl-devolve.wav, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
What rhymes with devolve?
6 words on PlainSpell end in the same sounds as devolve from its last stressed vowel (/ɑlv/):
Spelled with the same letters in another order: evolved.
Computed by PlainSpell from the pronunciations in the English Wiktionary (dump of September 2, 2026): a rhyme shares every sound from the last stressed vowel to the end; ordered by written frequency (wordfreq 3.1).
Forms of devolve
- devolves present, singular, he/she/it
- devolving participle, present
- devolved participle, past
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does devolve mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
verb
- 1
To be inherited by someone else; to pass down upon the next person in a succession, especially through failure or loss of an earlier holder.
- 2
To delegate (a responsibility, duty, etc.) on or upon someone.
Near-synonyms: pass down, pass on, hand down
- 3
To transfer authority and responsibility for (something) to (another entity).
Despite being a unitary state, the Government of the United Kingdom devolved many matters to the Governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- 4
To fall as a duty or responsibility on or upon someone.
For the nonce he was rather nonplussed but inasmuch as the duty plainly devolved upon him to take some measures on the subject he pondered suitable ways and means during which Stephen repeatedly yawned.
- 5
To shift or to be transferred from a central government to a local one, a federal one to a federated one, etc.
Many legislative powers devolved to the new Scottish parliament in 1999.
- 6
To degenerate; to break down.
A discussion about politics may devolve into a shouting match.
- 7
obsoleteTo roll (something) down; to unroll.
Near-synonyms: unwind, unfurl
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Devolve in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese
| Language | Words |
|---|---|
| German | übergeben |
| Spanish | delegar , involucionar, desvolucionar |
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Translations are Wiktionary's, by sense; a linked word has its own PlainSpell page.
Where does devolve come from?
Borrowed from Latin dēvolvō (“roll or tumble off or down”), from dē- + volvō (“roll”).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).