B1 verb Neutral

développer

/de.vlɔ.pe/

To cause to grow, expand, or become more advanced. It can refer to physical growth, economic progress, or the elaboration of ideas.

Examples

3 of 5
1

Il faut développer cette idée dans ton essai.

You need to develop this idea in your essay.

2

L'enfant commence à développer son langage.

The child is starting to develop their language.

3

On va développer une nouvelle application.

We are going to develop a new application.

Word Family

Noun
développement
Verb
développer
Adjective
développé
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Memory Tip

Think of 'develop' in English.

Quick Quiz

Il veut ____ ses connaissances en informatique.

Correct!

The correct answer is: développer

Examples

1

Il faut développer cette idée dans ton essai.

academic

You need to develop this idea in your essay.

2

L'enfant commence à développer son langage.

everyday

The child is starting to develop their language.

3

On va développer une nouvelle application.

business

We are going to develop a new application.

4

Développe un peu, je ne comprends pas.

informal

Expand on that a bit, I don't understand.

5

Le gouvernement souhaite développer le tourisme durable.

formal

The government wishes to develop sustainable tourism.

Word Family

Noun
développement
Verb
développer
Adjective
développé

Common Collocations

développer une idée to develop an idea
développer l'économie to develop the economy
développer un produit to develop a product
développer ses compétences to develop one's skills
se développer rapidement to develop rapidly

Common Phrases

pays en développement

developing country

développer un argument

to develop an argument

se développer

to grow/expand

Often Confused With

développer vs grandir

Grandir is for height/physical stature; développer is for systems, ideas, or complex growth.

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Usage Notes

Commonly used in IELTS writing to ask students to 'expand' on their points.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Spelling it with one 'p' (French uses two: développer).

💡

Memory Tip

Think of 'develop' in English.

📖

Word Origin

From Old French 'desvoloper' (to unwrap).

Grammar Patterns

développer + noun se développer

Quick Quiz

Il veut ____ ses connaissances en informatique.

Correct!

The correct answer is: développer

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