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

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

But with leading receiver Ladd McConkey and tight end Will Dissly nursing injuries in recent weeks, Davis’ role has grown. —Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2025

Discussion of Johnson having enough votes to keep his position has grown as Friday draws closer, as Republicans only have a very small majority, and the speaker can only afford to lose a couple of votes. —Asher Notheis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 2 Jan. 2025

Many Indians appear to be tiring of Modi’s showmanship and growing frustrated with his failures. —Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2025

The little, low room was dimly lighted with oil-lamps, and the boys clumped about the stoves in their cowhide boots, and laughed and buzzed and ate apples and peanuts and giggled, and grew suddenly solemn when the grave men and women looked at them. —Christopher Carroll, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 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 apart
• grow a thicker skin
• grow from
• grow into
• grow like a weed
• grow on
• grow on trees
• grow out
• grow out of
• grow (plants) from seed
• grow up
• grow wild
• let the grass grow under one's feet

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