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.

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. See More
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 See More

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 3 Jun. 2023.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!