What is development? Pronunciation and usage in English

development means . Learn how to pronounce and use development through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of development

developmentnoun

/dɪˈvɛləpm(ə)nt/
Definition & pronunciation of development

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "development" in English. It’s a tricky word! Here's a breakdown with different levels of detail:

1. The Basic Pronunciation (Most Common):

  • deh-VEL-oh-pment

Let's break that down:

  • deh: Like the "de" in "desk" - a short, clear "d" sound.
  • VEL: This is often where people stumble. It's a stressed syllable and sounds like "vel" as in "velvet," but shorter and crisper. Think of it as a quick, single syllable.
  • oh: As in "go" or "no."
  • pment: Pronounced like "pment" as in "employment."

2. A Slightly More Detailed Breakdown (for extra clarity):

  • deh-VEL-oh-pment – emphasize the "VEL" syllable.
  • "Vel" sound: This isn't exactly like "velvet." It's a bit more clipped and subtle. You can almost think of it as merging the "v" and "el" sounds.
  • "pment" – Don’t over-elongate this syllable.

3. Resources to Hear It:

Tips for Getting It Right:

  • Stress: Put the emphasis on the second syllable ("vel").
  • Don't over-vowel: The "vel" syllable shouldn't be drawn out like you would with a word like "velvet."
  • Listen and Repeat: The best way to learn is to hear the word spoken correctly and then practice saying it yourself.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some common mistakes people make?

Usage and examples with the word development in English

Let's break down how to use the word "development" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with multiple meanings! Here's a breakdown by category, with examples:

1. Growth & Progression (Most Common)

  • Meaning: The process of becoming more mature, sophisticated, or advanced. It refers to change over time.
  • Examples:
    • "The company is undergoing significant development." (Meaning: it's growing and changing.)
    • "His musical development was remarkable throughout his career." (Meaning: his skills and understanding grew.)
    • “Early childhood development is crucial for a child’s future.” (Meaning: the process of a child’s growth and learning.)
    • "The village has seen a lot of development in recent years." (Meaning: it's become more modern and improved.)

2. Building & Construction

  • Meaning: The act of constructing or building something.
  • Examples:
    • "The development of the new shopping center will create hundreds of jobs." (Referring to the building process)
    • “They are planning the development of a new park.” (Referring to the construction)
    • "Infrastructure development is essential for economic growth." (Roads, bridges, etc.)

3. Planning & Projects

  • Meaning: A planned project or initiative. Often used in business or urban planning.
  • Examples:
    • "The development of the software has been delayed." (Referring to the project itself)
    • "This is a major project in the company’s development strategy." (A strategic plan for growth)
    • "The city council approved the development plan for the downtown area.” (A proposal for how the area will change.)

4. Evolution & Improvement (Especially in Skills or Ideas)

  • Meaning: The gradual process of becoming better or more refined.
  • Examples:
    • “Continuous development is key to staying competitive.” (Referring to improving skills)
    • “Her artistic development showed a clear progression in style.” (Meaning her style improved)
    • "The theory has gone through significant development since its initial publication." (Meaning it has been refined and expanded)

5. Biology (Less Common, more technical)

  • Meaning: The process of growth and maturation in living organisms.
  • Example: “Human brain development continues throughout life.”

Key Grammatical Points:

  • Noun: "Development" is most often used as a noun (a thing).
  • Verb: It can also be used as a verb, meaning “to develop” or “to cause to develop.”
    • "We are developing a new marketing campaign." (Meaning: creating a new campaign)
    • “She’s developing her skills in painting.” (Meaning: improving her skills)

How to Choose the Right Meaning:

The context of the sentence will usually make the meaning clear. Here are some tips:

  • Look for words related to growth, change, building, or planning. These often indicate the "growth & progression" meaning.
  • If it’s about construction or a specific project, it’s likely referring to building or development.
  • If it's about skills or ideas, it probably means "development" in the sense of improvement.

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you thinking about using "development" in? (e.g., business, personal growth, construction, science?)

Synonyms for the word development

Comment ()