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.

Synonyms

• age
• develop
• grow
• mature
• progress
• ripen

Examples of grow up in a Sentence

everyone has to grow up at some point in their lives

Recent Examples on the Web

Our children deserve every possible opportunity to grow up healthy and prepared for the future. —Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024

Huebner has said having grown up in Fountain Valley, and being involved in its community organizations, has given her a good understanding of what residents need and value. —Destiny Torres, Orange County Register, 5 Nov. 2024

Something else that changed as Siwa grew up was her style. —Hedy Phillips, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024

Born to Russian-Jewish immigrants in 1929, Marcus grew up in Newark, New Jersey, according to a biography shared by Home Depot. —Rob Wile, NBC News, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

grow up

verb

: to grow toward or reach full mental and physical growth