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 verb1 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 verb1 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