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

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 successfully

—J. L. Deckter

grower

ˈgrō(-ə)r 

noun

growingly

ˈgrō-iŋ-lē 

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.

Synonyms

• crop
• cultivate
• culture
• dress
• promote
• raise
• rear
• tend

Example Sentences

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.

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Recent Examples on the Web

My Starlink From My Cold, Dead Hands Even as the number of users grew, Starlink has managed to open up more service areas, trim waitlists, and improve service across the board (the last, at least in my rural area). —Brian Westover, PCMAG, 17 May 2023

The rain show is a prime example of how Swift has managed to not only maintain her fan base, but grow it over the years. —Shannon Larson, BostonGlobe.com, 17 May 2023

China, which aims to land taikonauts on the moon, is growing its civil space capabilities as well, Dickinson said. —Audrey Decker Defense One, al, 17 May 2023

As the official backlash grew, Li canceled all his performances while the entertainment company that represents him, Shanghai Xiaoguo Culture Media, issued an apology. —Chris Lau, CNN, 17 May 2023

This is why researchers predict that AI, already a $137 billion industry, will grow more than 37% each year this decade. —Or Lenchner, Fortune, 17 May 2023

Yet even as the situations grow wilder, the show remains tethered to a common reality. —Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 17 May 2023

The Maggie May singer, 78, took to Instagram to share that his family recently grew by two. —Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 17 May 2023

Because of growing business and demand, in 1995, its bakery operations opened, connecting and supporting both places for fresh bread baked daily. —Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 16 May 2023

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

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

See More

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