Devolve Meaning in English

word

US

UK

Definition

To give or transfer power, responsibility, or duties to someone else, often a lower level. It can also mean to gradually worsen or change into a less desirable state.

Usage & Nuances

'Devolve' is formal and often used in politics or organizations (e.g., 'devolve authority'), and also in negative contexts ('devolve into chaos'). It is not the same as 'delegate': 'devolve' frequently implies passing down due to necessity, not choice, and can suggest decline.

• Spanish: delegar - transferir (poder/autoridad)
• Portuguese (BR): delegar - transferir (poder/responsabilidade)
• Portuguese (PT): delegar - transferir (poder/responsabilidade)
• Chinese (Simplified): 下放 (权力/责任) - 转交
• Chinese (Traditional): 下放 (權力/責任) - 轉交
• Hindi: सौंपना (ज़िम्मेदारी/अधिकार) - स्थानांतरित करना
• Arabic: يفوِّض - ينقل (سلطة/مسؤولية)
• Bengali: হস্তান্তর করা - নিচে নেমে যাওয়া
• Russian: передавать (полномочия) - деградировать
• Japanese: 委譲する - 悪化する
• Vietnamese: chuyển giao (quyền hạn) - trở nên tệ hơn
• Korean: 이양하다 - 악화되다
• Turkish: devretmek - kötüleşmek
• Urdu: منتقل کرنا - ابتری کی طرف جانا
• Indonesian: melimpahkan - berubah menjadi lebih buruk

Example Sentences

The manager will devolve some tasks to his assistant.

basic

Power will devolve from the central government to local councils.

basic

The teacher decided to devolve responsibility for the project to the students.

basic

If we don't set clear rules, conversations can quickly devolve into arguments.

natural

Without leadership, the team started to devolve into chaos.

natural

Sometimes meetings just devolve into people complaining about everything.

natural