grow

verb

grew ˈgrü How to pronounce grow (audio) ; grown ˈgrōn How to pronounce grow (audio) ; growing

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 non-biological process (such as crystallization)
The tree grew to an immense size.
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 successfullyJ. L. Deckter
grower noun
growingly adverb

Did you know?

Is grow a transitive verb?

Some people feel queasy when encountering grow used transitively (as in “grow the economy”). While it may grate on the ears of many, grow has existed as a transitive verb for hundreds of years, initially in relation to such things as crops, then to facial hair and the like, and finally to a small variety of other things (such as a business or the economy). The transitive form of grow sounds peculiar to many people, and you may certainly avoid using it, but it is wrong to state, as some do, that it is always improper or that it does not exist.

Examples of grow in a Sentence

The city is growing rapidly. The list of chores to do this weekend keeps growing. She grew intellectually and emotionally in her first year at college. It's wonderful to see how she has grown as a person since going to college. It can be hard to watch our children change as they grow. He's still just a growing boy.
Recent Examples on the Web Fire Country has grown its audience by 7 percent year to year, with a multi-platform average of 9.21 million viewers. Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Mar. 2024 Pressure is growing in Iraq for a complete U.S. withdrawal as American forces scrap with local militias. Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 12 Mar. 2024 His capitalized on the poor drinking quality of China’s tap water to grow his business, positioning the brand as providing high-quality drinking water direct from the source. Lionel Lim, Fortune Asia, 12 Mar. 2024 Temu grew popular at least partly by becoming one of the biggest buyers of ads on Facebook apps and Google. Shira Ovide, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024 Newsom is sending in reinforcements However, crime has been a major issue in Oakland: Robberies grew 38% last year. Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 12 Mar. 2024 In many cities, including Boise, Seattle, Dallas and Fort Lauderdale, the pay penalty for being a female worker grew by more than $5,000 a year. Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Mar. 2024 The German airline saw its passenger volumes grow by 20% last year, and also announced dividends for its shareholders for the first time since 2019. Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 12 Mar. 2024 The crowd’s love for Patel only grew more fervent as the film went on, revealing not only a new cinematic voice, but a surprisingly political action thriller that saw Patel’s character take on the Hindu caste system with teeth, knives and blood. Selome Hailu, Variety, 12 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'grow.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of grow was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near grow

Cite this Entry

“Grow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grow. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

grow

verb
grew ˈgrü How to pronounce grow (audio) ; grown ˈgrōn How to pronounce grow (audio) ; growing
1
a
: to spring up and develop to maturity
b
: to be able to grow in some place or situation
rice grows in water
c
: to take on some relation through or as if through growth
a tree with limbs grown together
2
: increase entry 1 sense 1, expand
the city is growing rapidly
grows in wisdom
3
: originate sense 2
the project grew out of a mere suggestion
4
a
: to pass into a condition : become
grew pale
b
: to have an increasing influence
habits grow on you
5
: to cause to grow : cultivate, raise
grow wheat
grower noun

Medical Definition

grow

verb
grew ˈgrü How to pronounce grow (audio) ; grown ˈgrōn How to pronounce grow (audio) ; growing

intransitive verb

1
a
: to spring up and develop to maturity
b
: to be able to grow in some place or situation
c
: to assume some relation through or as if through a process of natural growth
the cut edges of the wound grew together
2
: to increase in size by addition of material by assimilation into the living organism or by accretion in a non-biological process (as crystallization)

transitive verb

: to cause to grow
grew bacteria in culture

More from Merriam-Webster on grow

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