burgeon

[ bur-juhn ]

verb (used without object)

1. to grow or develop quickly; flourish:

   The town burgeoned into a city. He burgeoned into a fine actor.

   Synonyms: thrive, mushroom, blossom, bloom

2. to be brimming or filled to bursting; abound (usually followed by with):

   All the new students are burgeoning with energy and potential. The kitchen drawers were burgeoning with tea towels.

3. to begin to grow, as a bud; put forth buds, shoots, etc., as a plant (often followed by out, forth ).

verb (used with object)

1. to put forth, as buds.

noun

1. a bud; sprout.

burgeon

/ ˈbɜːdʒən /

verb

1. often foll byforth or out (of a plant) to sprout (buds)
2. intr; often foll by forth or out to develop or grow rapidly; flourish

noun

1. a bud of a plant

Usage Note

The two senses of burgeon, “to bud” ( The maples are burgeoning ) and “to grow or flourish” ( The suburbs around the city have been burgeoning under the impact of commercial growth ), date from the 14th century. Today the sense “to grow or flourish” is the more common. Occasionally, objections are raised to the use of this sense, perhaps because of its popularity in journalistic writing.

Word History and Origins

Origin of burgeon¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English noun burjon, burion “shoot, bud,” from Anglo-French burjun, burg(e)on; Old French burjon, from unattested Vulgar Latin burriōne(m), accusative of unattested burriō, derivative of Late Latin burra “wool, fluff“ ( bourrée, bureau ), presumably from the down covering certain buds; verb derivative of the noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of burgeon¹

C13: from Old French burjon , perhaps ultimately from Late Latin burra shaggy cloth; from the downiness of certain buds

Example Sentences

Chu struggles to give the burgeoning friendship between Elphaba and Glinda the same thrust as he does the film’s central plot, which has a more momentous push in the movie’s second half.

From Salon

April’s EP “Pandora” raised the stakes for her writing and burgeoning fame.

From Los Angeles Times

But investors argue that there is a true global burgeoning demand for the commodity that poses a golden opportunity for Canada.

From BBC

Passionately hating law enforcement for murdering her parents, Vi at first rejects the badge Caitlyn offers her early in their burgeoning romance.

From Salon

But rap's negative image and the burgeoning tensions were a big talking point.

From BBC

Related Words

• prosper
• snowball
• sprout