grow

verb

ˈgrō 

grew ˈgrü  ; grown ˈgrōn  ; growing

intransitive verb

1

a

: to develop to maturity : to undergo development

The seedlings grew quickly.

specifically : to develop and pass through childhood into adulthood

watching their children grow

He's a growing boy.

b

: to be able to exist and develop in some place or situation

trees that grow in the tropics

flowers growing wild along the road

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, length, etc. usually by natural processes

The tree grew to an immense size.

letting her fingernails grow

watched the ice crystals grow larger

b

: increase, expand

grows in wisdom

The city's population grew.

The list of chores keeps growing.

c

: to improve or become more developed, mature, etc.

College has helped him grow.

d

: to gradually form an opinion, attitude, etc.

grew to like the new job

3

: to pass into a condition : become

grew pale

grow old

growing more popular/common

transitive verb

1

a

: to cause to grow

grow wheat

growing synthetic gems in a lab

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

grower

ˈgrō(-ə)r 

noun

growingly

ˈgrō-iŋ-lē 

adverb

see also grow apart, grow on, grow out, grow out of

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.

Synonyms of grow

• cultivate
• produce

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

Rubbertown, a complex of heavy industrial sites in west Louisville, grew rapidly as a hub for synthetic rubber production during World War II. —Stephanie Stremplewski, Louisville Courier Journal, 13 Dec. 2025

China’s influence was growing near critical strategic areas, including the Panama Canal, and Haiti’s security was rapidly deteriorating, fueled by criminal armed gangs. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 12 Dec. 2025

Those issues combined with growing discontent over affordability issues across the country make the conditions ripe for electoral swings, said House Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta, D-Fort Wayne. —Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 12 Dec. 2025

The Bank of England is reviewing lending to data centers after growing concerned at the level of spending and financing. —Neil Callanan, Fortune, 12 Dec. 2025

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

Phrases Containing grow

• grow a thicker skin
• grow from
• grow into
• grow like a weed
• grow on trees
• grow (plants) from seed
• grow up
• grow wild
• let the grass grow under one's feet

Rhymes for grow

• beau
• beaux
• blow
• boe
• bro
• coe
• crow
• doe
• doh
• dough
• eau
• eaux

Kids Definition

grow

verb

ˈgrō 

grew ˈgrü  ; grown ˈgrōn  ; 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

ˈgrō(-ə)r 

noun

Medical Definition

grow

verb

ˈgrō 

grew ˈgrü  ; grown ˈgrōn  ; 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