evolutionary
/ˌiːvəˈluːʃənri/ (bre, ipa) · [ˌɛvəlˈuʃənˌɛri] /ˌevəˈluːʃəneri/ (ame, ipa) · [ˌɛvəlˈuʃənˌɛri] /-ri/ (ame, mw)
evolutionary — 形容詞
- evolutionarypositive
- more evolutionarycomparative
- most evolutionarysuperlative
1. relating to the scientific theory of how groups of living organisms change gradu
演化的
生物物種長期變化的
relating to the scientific theory of how groups of living organisms change gradually across many generations through processes such as natural selection and genetic adaptation
Darwin's theory of evolutionary change shows how bird species diverged on the Galápagos Islands.
達爾文的演化論說明了加拉巴哥群島上的鳥類物種是如何分歧的。
attributive use: evolutionary + noun (change, biology, history)
The evolutionary split between humans and other apes happened millions of years ago.
人類與其他猿類在演化上的分歧發生在數百萬年前。
Fossil records provide strong evidence for the evolutionary history of whales returning to the ocean.
化石紀錄為鯨魚重返海洋的演化歷史提供了有力的證據。
Sivan's biology class studied the evolutionary adaptations that help desert animals survive drought.
Sivan 的生物課堂上研究了幫助沙漠動物在乾旱中生存的演化適應特徵。
An evolutionary biologist might examine how bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics over time.
演化生物學家可能會研究細菌如何隨著時間發展出對抗生素的抗藥性。
- genetic
more specific — focuses on DNA and heredity rather than the entire process of species change
- adaptive
narrower — emphasises the aspect of adjusting to environmental conditions
- developmental
different scope — describes changes within a single organism's lifetime, not across generations
- static
describes something that does not change at all, the opposite of evolving
文法句型
evolutionary + noun
用法筆記
Frequently used in attributive position before nouns such as 'biology', 'theory', 'process', and 'history'. The word itself does not imply improvement — evolution can produce simpler or more complex forms depending on what helps a species survive.
常見錯誤
2. describing a series of small, connected changes that happen slowly over time, ra
演變的
緩慢漸進的改變過程
describing a series of small, connected changes that happen slowly over time, rather than a sudden or complete shift
The company's move toward renewable energy followed an evolutionary path, not a sudden one.
該公司轉向再生能源的過程是逐步演變的，而非突然發生的。
contrasted with 'revolutionary' or 'sudden'
Language follows an evolutionary path where new words appear and old ones fade.
語言沿著一條演變的路徑前進，新詞出現，舊詞則逐漸消失。
Arjun saw the new policy as an evolutionary step, not a break from past practice.
Arjun 認為這項新政策是逐步的一步，而非脫離過去的做法。
The evolutionary development of smartphones has made once-essential devices like maps and cameras unnecessary.
智慧型手機的逐步演變讓地圖和相機等曾經不可或缺的裝置變得不再必要。
Eleni described the peace agreement as an evolutionary shift in the region's politics.
Eleni 形容這項和平協議是該地區政治情勢的一次逐步轉變。
- gradual
simpler and more common; lacks the implication of connected steps building on each other
- incremental
emphasises small additions or increases as part of a series; more common in business and technology contexts
- progressive
suggests forward movement or improvement, which 'evolutionary' does not necessarily imply
- revolutionary
describes a sudden, complete change rather than a slow, step-by-step one
- abrupt
describes something that happens all at once, the opposite of gradual
文法句型
evolutionary + noun
用法筆記
Commonly contrasted with 'revolutionary' to highlight slow, continuous change rather than abrupt transformation. Less appropriate for describing truly sudden or disruptive events.