grow

¹

[groh]

verb (used without object)

grew, grown, growing. 

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, grown, growing. 

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. grow on / upon

   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.

2. grow out of

   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.

3. grow up

   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.

4. grow into

   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.

Grow

²

[groh]

noun

1. Galusha Aaron 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

   some plants grow downwards

   profits over the years grew downwards

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

   to grow cold

   to grow morose

   he grew to like her

6. to come into existence

   a close friendship grew up between them

7. 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. 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 Word Forms

• growable adjective
• regrow verb

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, pair.

More idioms and phrases containing grow

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

Example Sentences

Get them wrong or do them too often and a government's progress can become jolty and piecemeal, and the backbench battalion of the disgruntled grows larger.

From BBC

In the global bond markets, the rates that investors demand for borrowing dropped sharply, reversing a surge earlier in the week, as confidence grew in a Fed rate cut.

From BBC

Ms Shuttleworth added that along with the rising cost of labour, the impact of shoplifting continued to grow.

From BBC

Three of my best friends who I grew up with in Fresno came out with their wives.

From Los Angeles Times

For me, being in office is the chance to change the lives of the people I grew up alongside.

From BBC

Related Words

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