growing
Americanadjective
-
becoming greater in quantity, size, extent, or intensity.
growing discontent among industrial workers.
-
having or showing life.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of growing
First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English growende. See grow, -ing 2
Explanation
A growing thing (or person) is in the process of developing, often by getting bigger. You can argue for a second helping of cake by saying, "I'm a growing kid!" Your puppy is a growing animal, changing and developing into an adult dog, and your cactus is a growing plant, even if the only evidence of that growth is one pink bloom each year. You can also use this adjective for things that increase, like your growing bank account or your growing interest in woodworking. As a noun, growing means the biological process of change and development itself: "Growing isn't always easy, but we all have to do it."
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.
It’s the latest eye-popping product in a growing category of functional snacks and treats.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026
The Aristocrats cannot be expected to outperform the S&P 500 over longer periods, as the broader index is heavily weighted to very large companies that are growing rapidly.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 6, 2026
Measles was declared eradicated from the United States in 2000 thanks to vaccination, but in recent years it has made a strong comeback, fueled by declining vaccination rates and growing public distrust of health authorities.
From Barron's ● Nov. 6, 2026
Meanwhile, uncertainty also looms over Gibran, Jokowi's son, who is mired in a growing controversy over the validity of his high school credentials, a pre-requisite to run for vice presidency.
From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026
A big lump was growing out of my arm, and my shirt collar tightened around my swelling neck.
From "Rump: The (Fairly) True Story of Rumpelstilskin" by Liesl Shurtliff
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