grow
1 Americanverb (used without object)
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to increase by natural development, as any living organism or part by assimilation of nutriment; increase in size or substance.
- Antonyms:
- decrease
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to form and increase in size by a process of inorganic accretion, as by crystallization.
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to arise or issue as a natural development from an original happening, circumstance, or source.
Our friendship grew from common interests.
- Synonyms:
- originate
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to increase gradually in size, amount, etc.; become greater or larger; expand.
His influence has grown.
- Synonyms:
- wax
- Antonyms:
- wane
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to become gradually attached or united by or as if by growth.
The branches of the trees grew together, forming a natural arch.
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to come to be by degrees; become.
to grow old.
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Nautical. to lie or extend in a certain direction, as an anchor cable.
verb (used with object)
verb phrase
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grow on / upon
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to increase in influence or effect.
An uneasy feeling grew upon him as he went through the old house.
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to become gradually more liked or accepted by.
a village by the sea that grows on one.
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grow out of
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to become too large or mature for; outgrow.
He has grown out of all his clothes.
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to originate in; develop from.
The plan grew out of a casual conversation.
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grow up
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to be or become fully grown; attain mental or physical maturity.
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to come into existence; arise.
New cities grew up in the desert.
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grow into
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to become large enough for.
He'll grow into his brother's suits before long.
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to become mature or experienced enough for.
She grew into the job, although she wasn't qualified for it at first.
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idioms
noun
verb
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(of an organism or part of an organism) to increase in size or develop (hair, leaves, or other structures)
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(intr; usually foll by out of or from) to originate, as from an initial cause or source
the federation grew out of the Empire
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(intr) to increase in size, number, degree, etc
the population is growing rapidly
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(intr) to change in length or amount in a specified direction
some plants grow downwards
profits over the years grew downwards
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(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
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to come into existence
a close friendship grew up between them
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to be joined gradually by or as by growth
the branches on the tree grew together
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(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
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to become covered with a growth
the path grew with weeds
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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
Etymology
Origin of grow
First recorded before 900; Middle English growen, Old English grōwan; cognate with Dutch groeien, Old High German grouwan, Old Norse grōa
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
First documented in Guernsey in 1871, the flower used to grow along the island's west coast and Lihou Island, but now only a small wild population remains at Pleinmont.
From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026
They are pricey, but 2026 sales are expected to grow roughly 90%.
From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026
Lucy Bell-Reeves, NPK Recovery's co-founder, said using a waste product to grow trees was "a circular solution that can revitalise our struggling native species."
From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026
Brands like On and Hoka have continued to grow by capitalizing on China’s running boom.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026
And by the end of recess I believed I could grow to become a dodgeball player of great skill and fame.
From "Ida B" by Katherine Hannigan
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.
