burgeon

Also bour·geon

[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 byout, forth ).

verb (used with object)

1. to put forth, as buds.

noun

1. a bud; sprout.

burgeon

/ ˈbɜːdʒən /

verb

1. (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

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

"We can't wait for the national and international music spotlight to shine on our fantastic city, showcasing our burgeoning music industry, hugely talented musicians and amazing venues," she said.

From BBC

The burgeoning ties between Beijing, Moscow and Pyongyang, on show at China's parade, put South Korea in "a very difficult situation", Lee said.

From BBC

We have reached the point in our burgeoning white nationalism when our high court has deemed brown synonymous with illegal, regardless of what country that pigment originated in.

From Los Angeles Times

Woods now shares tips and tricks on Instagram, doing his best to grow the sport beyond its burgeoning online popularity.

From BBC

They acted, in effect, as lower court federal judges, until business and commerce and the law burgeoned.

From Salon

Related Words

• prosper 
• snowball 
• sprout