Main Entry: grow

Pronunciation: \ˈgrō\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): grew \ˈgrü\; grown \ˈgrōn\; grow·ing

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English grōwan; akin to Old High German gruowan to grow

Date: before 12th century

intransitive verb 1 a : to spring up and develop to maturity b : to be able to grow in some place or situation <trees that grow in the tropics> c : to assume some relation through or as if through a process of natural growth <ferns growing from the rocks>
2 a : to increase in size by assimilation of material into the living organism or by accretion of material in a nonbiological process (as crystallization) b : increase, expand <grows in wisdom>
3 : to develop from a parent source <the book grew out of a series of lectures>
4 a : to pass into a condition : become <grew pale> b : to have an increasing influence <habit grows on a person> c : to become increasingly acceptable or attractive <didn't like it at first, but it grew on him>transitive verb 1 a : to cause to grow <grow wheat> b : to let grow on the body <grew a beard>
2 : to promote the development of <start a business and grow it successfully — J. L. Deckter>

— grow·er \ˈgrō(-ə)r\ noun

— grow·ing·ly \ˈgrō-iŋ-lē\ adverb