grow up

verb

grew up; grown up; growing up; grows up

intransitive verb

1
a
: to grow toward or arrive at full stature or physical or mental maturity : to progress from childhood toward adulthood
growing up intellectually
grew up in the city
also : to become an adult
She wants to be a doctor when she grows up.
b
: to stop thinking or behaving in a childish way
He should grow up and accept his responsibilities.
2
: to begin to exist and develop as time passes
A number of cities grew up along the river.

Examples of grow up in a Sentence

everyone has to grow up at some point in their lives
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Former friends with unintended benefits Former state Sen. Curtis Hertel grew up in Detroit's East English Village neighborhood, just a couple blocks from where Duggan's family lived in Detroit's Morningside neighborhood. M.l. Elrick, Freep.com, 23 July 2025 Allgood came to music early, growing up in suburban Westmont, supported and encouraged by her parents and allowed to sing with local bands. Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 23 July 2025 Andersen, who recently released a new album The Hammer & The Rose, grew up in Perth-Andover, a tiny town that has since been incorporated into Southern Victoria in New Brunswick, Canada. Gary Stoller, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025 After emigrating to the United States at age 12 from Haiti, Fortune grew up in the Nassau County town of Westbury on Long Island. Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 23 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for grow up

Word History

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of grow up was in 1535

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Cite this Entry

“Grow up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grow%20up. Accessed 27 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

grow up

verb
: to grow toward or reach full mental and physical growth

More from Merriam-Webster on grow up

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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