grow

¹

[ groh ]

verb (used without object)

, grew [groo], grown [grohn], grow·ing [groh, -ing].

1. to increase by natural development, as any living organism or part by assimilation of nutriment; increase in size or substance.

   Synonyms: extend, expand, enlarge, swell, multiply, develop

   Antonyms: decrease

2. to form and increase in size by a process of inorganic accretion, as by crystallization.
3. to arise or issue as a natural development from an original happening, circumstance, or source:

   Our friendship grew from common interests.

   Synonyms: originate

4. to increase gradually in size, amount, etc.; become greater or larger; expand:

   His influence has grown.

   Synonyms: wax

   Antonyms: wane

5. to become gradually attached or united by or as if by growth:

   The branches of the trees grew together, forming a natural arch.

6. to come to be by degrees; become:

   to grow old.

7. Nautical. to lie or extend in a certain direction, as an anchor cable.

verb (used with object)

, grew [groo], grown [grohn], grow·ing [groh, -ing].

1. to cause to grow:

   They grow corn.

   Synonyms: produce, cultivate, raise

2. to allow to grow:

   to grow a beard.

3. to cover with a growth (used in the passive):

   a field grown with corn.

verb phrase

1. 1. to become large enough for:

      He'll grow into his brother's suits before long.

   2. to become mature or experienced enough for:

      She grew into the job, although she wasn't qualified for it at first.

2. 1. to increase in influence or effect:

      An uneasy feeling grew upon him as he went through the old house.

   2. to become gradually more liked or accepted by:

      a village by the sea that grows on one.

3. 1. to become too large or mature for; outgrow:

      He has grown out of all his clothes.

   2. to originate in; develop from:

      The plan grew out of a casual conversation.

4. 1. to be or become fully grown; attain mental or physical maturity.
   2. to come into existence; arise:

      New cities grew up in the desert.

Grow

²

[ groh ]

noun

1. Ga·lu·sha Aaron [g, uh, -, loo, -sh, uh], 1822–1907, U.S. political leader: Speaker of the House 1861–63.

grow

/ ɡrəʊ /

verb

1. (of an organism or part of an organism) to increase in size or develop (hair, leaves, or other structures)
2. intr; usually foll by out of or from to originate, as from an initial cause or source

   the federation grew out of the Empire

3. intr to increase in size, number, degree, etc

   the population is growing rapidly

4. intr to change in length or amount in a specified direction

   profits over the years grew downwards

   some plants grow downwards

5. copula; may take an infinitive (esp of emotions, physical states, etc) to develop or come into existence or being gradually

   to grow morose

   to grow cold

   he grew to like her

6. intrusually foll byup to come into existence

   a close friendship grew up between them

7. intrfoll bytogether to be joined gradually by or as by growth

   the branches on the tree grew together

8. intr; foll by away, together, etc to develop a specified state of friendship

   the lovers grew together gradually

   many friends grow apart over the years

9. whenintr, foll by with to become covered with a growth

   the path grew with weeds

10. to produce (plants) by controlling or encouraging their growth, esp for home consumption or on a commercial basis

Other Words From

• growa·ble adjective
• re·grow verb regrew regrown regrowing

Word History and Origins

Origin of grow¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English growen, Old English grōwan; cognate with Dutch groeien, Old High German grouwan, Old Norse grōa

Word History and Origins

Origin of grow¹

Old English grōwan; related to Old Norse grōa, Old Frisian grōia, Old High German gruoen; see green , grass

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. grow a pair, Slang: Vulgar. pair ¹( def 23 ).

More idioms and phrases containing grow

• absence makes the heart grow fonder
• let the grass grow under one's feet

Example Sentences

Between 1920 and 1980, it was one of the fastest-growing countries in the world.

From Freakonomics

For as much as streaming has grown, traditional TV has remained the dominant medium among audiences and advertisers.

From Digiday

In recent weeks, every day has been growing compared to the previous day.

From Fortune

Oracle just reported that its quarterly cloud services and licensing revenue grew 2% to almost $7 billion.

From Fortune

The millions of people moving north will mostly head to the cities of the Northeast and Northwest, which will see their populations grow by roughly 10%, according to one model.

From ProPublica

We need to recover and grow the idea that the proper answer to bad speech is more and better speech.

From The Daily Beast

Any plans to grow her exercise movement must, she insists, remain “completely organic.”

From The Daily Beast

The genetic material can grow quickly, but are typically riddled with errors or defects.

From The Daily Beast

He felt his body grow limp (like one of those high-speed films of a flower wilting).

From The Daily Beast

All of my stories are about people trying hard not to grow up.

From The Daily Beast

It goes without saying that Ferns of all kinds are interesting plants to grow in the garden and house.

From Project Gutenberg

Of course it is only the hardiest Ferns which can be expected to grow well in the town garden.

From Project Gutenberg

In such conditions many kinds which do not flourish very freely in the open garden, grow into handsome specimens.

From Project Gutenberg

The flowers grow in clusters from the extremities of the stalk; they are yellow externally and of a delicate red within.

From Project Gutenberg

“I hope he will grow up to be a true comfort to you, M. Pujol,” said Miss Janet.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• advance
• age
• become
• breed
• build
• come
• cultivate
• develop
• expand
• flourish
• gain
• increase
• mature
• multiply
• produce
• raise
• rise
• spread
• sprout
• swell