to increase by natural development, as any living organism or part by assimilation of nutriment; increase in size or substance.
to form and increase in size by a process of inorganic accretion, as by crystallization.
to arise or issue as a natural development from an original happening, circumstance, or source.
Our friendship grew from common interests.
to increase gradually in size, amount, etc.; become greater or larger; expand.
His influence has grown.
to become gradually attached or united by or as if by growth.
The branches of the trees grew together, forming a natural arch.
to come to be by degrees; become.
to grow old.
Nautical. to lie or extend in a certain direction, as an anchor cable.
grow on / upon
to increase in influence or effect.
An uneasy feeling grew upon him as he went through the old house.
to become gradually more liked or accepted by.
a village by the sea that grows on one.
grow out of
to become too large or mature for; outgrow.
He has grown out of all his clothes.
to originate in; develop from.
The plan grew out of a casual conversation.
grow up
to be or become fully grown; attain mental or physical maturity.
to come into existence; arise.
New cities grew up in the desert.
grow into
to become large enough for.
He'll grow into his brother's suits before long.
to become mature or experienced enough for.
She grew into the job, although she wasn't qualified for it at first.
(of an organism or part of an organism) to increase in size or develop (hair, leaves, or other structures)
(intr; usually foll by out of or from) to originate, as from an initial cause or source
the federation grew out of the Empire
(intr) to increase in size, number, degree, etc
the population is growing rapidly
(intr) to change in length or amount in a specified direction
some plants grow downwards
profits over the years grew downwards
(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
to come into existence
a close friendship grew up between them
to be joined gradually by or as by growth
the branches on the tree grew together
(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
to become covered with a growth
the path grew with weeds
to produce (plants) by controlling or encouraging their growth, esp for home consumption or on a commercial basis
First recorded before 900; Middle English growen, Old English grōwan; cognate with Dutch groeien, Old High German grouwan, Old Norse grōa
To grow is to become larger, stronger, or more mature. A tiny seed grows into a leafy plant or a giant tree; babies grow and become adults and as they do, their knowledge of the world grows too! The verb grow describes something becoming greater than it once was. Living things start small and grow into adults, like kittens growing into cats and cubs growing into bears. But growing isn't limited to physical changes: Someone's knowledge can grow over time, and people can grow emotionally, becoming more positive, confident, and caring. When anything, living or not, becomes more, it grows — like the intensity of sunlight growing after dawn or a small business growing into a huge global success.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Excluding contributions from ironSource and Supersonic, revenue within Unity’s Grow unit rose 48% last quarter, “double the growth rate of the comparable metric inclusive of the two units.”
From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026
The shop, run by the charity Guardians Grow, received a £5,000 grant from Comic Relief and founder Sioux Watkins said "to be recognised by such a big funder is massive for us".
From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026
They are Colter Carlisle, vice president of the East Hollywood Neighborhood Council; Dylan Kendall, an entrepreneur and founder of Grow Hollywood; and Rich Sarian, vice president of strategic initiatives for the Social District.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 14, 2026
“Let Me Grow and You’ll See the Fruit” is a beautifully hypnotic tune that has the moment-to-moment richness of a film.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 6, 2026
“Please. You and Audrey are alike. You’re both little girls not ready for real relationships. Grow up.”
From "Keep It Together, Keiko Carter" by Debbi Michiko Florence
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
