grow

verb

ˈgrō How to pronounce grow (audio)
grew ˈgrü How to pronounce grow (audio) ; grown ˈgrōn How to pronounce grow (audio) ; growing
Synonyms of grownext

intransitive verb

1
a
: to spring up and develop to maturity
b
: to be able to grow in some place or situation
trees that grow in the tropics
c
: to assume some relation through or as if through a process of natural growth
ferns growing from the rocks
2
a
: to increase in size by assimilation of material into the living organism or by accretion of material in a non-biological process (such as crystallization)
The tree grew to an immense size.
b
: increase, expand
grows in wisdom
3
: to develop from a parent source
the book grew out of a series of lectures
4
a
: to pass into a condition : become
grew pale
b
: to have an increasing influence
habit grows on a person
c
: to become increasingly acceptable or attractive
didn't like it at first, but it grew on him

transitive verb

1
a
: to cause to grow
grow wheat
b
: to let grow on the body
grew a beard
2
: to promote the development of
start a business and grow it successfully—J. L. Deckter
grower
ˈgrō(-ə)r How to pronounce grow (audio)
noun
growingly
ˈgrō-iŋ-lē How to pronounce grow (audio)
adverb

Did you know?

Is grow a transitive verb?

Some people feel queasy when encountering grow used transitively (as in “grow the economy”). While it may grate on the ears of many, grow has existed as a transitive verb for hundreds of years, initially in relation to such things as crops, then to facial hair and the like, and finally to a small variety of other things (such as a business or the economy). The transitive form of grow sounds peculiar to many people, and you may certainly avoid using it, but it is wrong to state, as some do, that it is always improper or that it does not exist.

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of grow in a Sentence

The city is growing rapidly. The list of chores to do this weekend keeps growing. She grew intellectually and emotionally in her first year at college. It's wonderful to see how she has grown as a person since going to college. It can be hard to watch our children change as they grow. He's still just a growing boy.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Ortega said balances grew during the pandemic as workers — and the rest of America — weren’t able to travel as easily for vacation. —Melody Gutierrez, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2025 In the late 1960s, some physicists speculated that singularities might be surrounded by a region of churning chaos, where space and time haphazardly grow and shrink. —Lyndie Chiou, Wired News, 20 Apr. 2025 Tariffs are concerning consumers Trade issues are a significant and growing concern for consumers, the Kearney survey said. —Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025 Every neighborhood deserves safe streets, quality services, thriving businesses, and places where families can grow with dignity. —Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for grow

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English grōwan; akin to Old High German gruowan to grow

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of grow was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing grow

Rhymes for grow

See All Rhymes for grow

Browse Nearby Words

grovy
grow
growable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grow. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

grow

verb
ˈgrō How to pronounce grow (audio)
grew ˈgrü How to pronounce grow (audio) ; grown ˈgrōn How to pronounce grow (audio) ; growing
1
a
: to spring up and develop to maturity
b
: to be able to grow in some place or situation
rice grows in water
c
: to take on some relation through or as if through growth
a tree with limbs grown together
2
: increase entry 1 sense 1, expand
the city is growing rapidly
grows in wisdom
3
: originate sense 2
the project grew out of a mere suggestion
4
a
: to pass into a condition : become
grew pale
b
: to have an increasing influence
habits grow on you
5
: to cause to grow : cultivate, raise
grow wheat
grower
ˈgrō(-ə)r How to pronounce grow (audio)
noun

Medical Definition

grow

verb
ˈgrō How to pronounce grow (audio)
grew ˈgrü How to pronounce grow (audio) ; grown ˈgrōn How to pronounce grow (audio) ; growing

intransitive verb

1
a
: to spring up and develop to maturity
b
: to be able to grow in some place or situation
c
: to assume some relation through or as if through a process of natural growth
the cut edges of the wound grew together
2
: to increase in size by addition of material by assimilation into the living organism or by accretion in a non-biological process (as crystallization)

transitive verb

: to cause to grow
grew bacteria in culture

More from Merriam-Webster on grow

Nglish: Translation of grow for Spanish Speakers

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