grow

verb

ˈgrō

grew ˈgrü

; grown ˈgrōn

; growing

Synonyms of grow next

intransitive verb

: to spring up and develop to maturity

: to be able to grow in some place or situation

trees that grow in the tropics

: to assume some relation through or as if through a process of natural growth

ferns growing from the rocks

: 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.

: increase, expand

grows in wisdom

: to develop from a parent source

the book grew out of a series of lectures

: to pass into a condition : become

grew pale

: to have an increasing influence

habit grows on a person

: to become increasingly acceptable or attractive

didn't like it at first, but it grew on him

transitive verb

: to cause to grow

grow wheat

: to let grow on the body

grew a beard

: 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.

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Curtis named it a top pick due to its strong and growing customer base. —

Samantha Subin, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2025 Our plan for growing the economy builds on the progress of the last two years. —

Wes Moore, Baltimore Sun, 14 Jan. 2025 Over the past few years Mexico has been one of the fastest growing e-commerce sectors in the entire world. —

Nathaniel Parish Flannery, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025 Water-dropping helicopters and firefighters on the ground battled the blaze, which grew to 8 acres, and it was reported as contained less than five hours later, according to reports posted on the department's website. —

Christopher Weber, arkansasonline.com, 14 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for grow

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

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Grow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grow. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

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Kids Definition

grow

verb

ˈgrō

grew ˈgrü

; grown ˈgrōn

; growing

: to spring up and develop to maturity

: to be able to grow in some place or situation

rice grows in water

: to take on some relation through or as if through growth

a tree with limbs grown together

: increase entry 1 sense 1, expand

the city is growing rapidly

grows in wisdom

: originate sense 2

the project grew out of a mere suggestion

: to pass into a condition : become

grew pale

: to have an increasing influence

habits grow on you

: 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

: to spring up and develop to maturity

: to be able to grow in some place or situation

: to assume some relation through or as if through a process of natural growth

the cut edges of the wound grew together

: 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

Last Updated: 17 Jan 2025 - Updated example sentences

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grow

verb

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Synonyms

Examples of grow in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near grow

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition