burgeon

bur·geon

verb \ˈbər-jən\

Definition of BURGEON

intransitive verb

1

a : to send forth new growth (as buds or branches) : sprout b : bloom

2

: to grow and expand rapidly : flourish

Variants of BURGEON

bur·geon also bour·geon \ˈbər-jən\

Examples of BURGEON

1. The market for collectibles has burgeoned in recent years.
2. <the trout population in the stream is burgeoning now that the water is clean>

Origin of BURGEON

Middle English burjonen, from Anglo-French burjuner, from burjun bud, from Vulgar Latin *burrion-, burrio, from Late Latin burra fluff, shaggy cloth

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to BURGEON

Synonyms: accelerate, accumulate, appreciate, balloon, boom, build up, increase (also bourgeon), climb, enlarge, escalate, expand, gain, mount, multiply, mushroom, proliferate, rise, roll up, snowball, spread, swell, wax

Antonyms: contract, decrease, diminish, dwindle, lessen, recede, wane

Related Words: jump, rocket, skyrocket, surge; heighten, intensify, redouble; blow up, bulk, distend, inflate, puff (up); crescendo, crest, peak

Near Antonyms: dry up, fade, shrivel, wilt, wither; die, drop, expire, perish

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Botany Terms

annual, chloroplast, nomenclature, succulent, sylvan, xylem

Rhymes with BURGEON

sturgeon, surgeon, virgin