Advertisement

View synonyms for grow

grow

1

[ groh ]

verb (used without object)

, grew [groo], grown [grohn], grow·ing [groh, -ing].
  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 [groo], grown [grohn], grow·ing [groh, -ing].
  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. 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.

    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.

    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.

    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. Ga·lu·sha Aaron [g, uh, -, loo, -sh, uh], 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 morose

    he grew to like her

    to grow cold

  6. intrusually foll byup to come into existence

    a close friendship grew up between them

  7. intrfoll bytogether 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. whenintr, foll by with 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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


Discover More

Other Words From

  • growa·ble adjective
  • re·grow verb regrew regrown regrowing
Discover More

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
Discover More

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
Discover More

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms
  1. grow a pair, Slang: Vulgar. pair 1( def 23 ).

More idioms and phrases containing grow

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

Example Sentences

Between 1920 and 1980, it was one of the fastest-growing countries in the world.

For as much as streaming has grown, traditional TV has remained the dominant medium among audiences and advertisers.

From Digiday

In recent weeks, every day has been growing compared to the previous day.

From Fortune

Oracle just reported that its quarterly cloud services and licensing revenue grew 2% to almost $7 billion.

From Fortune

The millions of people moving north will mostly head to the cities of the Northeast and Northwest, which will see their populations grow by roughly 10%, according to one model.

We need to recover and grow the idea that the proper answer to bad speech is more and better speech.

Any plans to grow her exercise movement must, she insists, remain “completely organic.”

The genetic material can grow quickly, but are typically riddled with errors or defects.

He felt his body grow limp (like one of those high-speed films of a flower wilting).

All of my stories are about people trying hard not to grow up.

It goes without saying that Ferns of all kinds are interesting plants to grow in the garden and house.

Of course it is only the hardiest Ferns which can be expected to grow well in the town garden.

In such conditions many kinds which do not flourish very freely in the open garden, grow into handsome specimens.

The flowers grow in clusters from the extremities of the stalk; they are yellow externally and of a delicate red within.

“I hope he will grow up to be a true comfort to you, M. Pujol,” said Miss Janet.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


grovetgrowan