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grow

verb \ˈgrō\

: to become larger : to increase in size, amount, etc.

: to become better or improved in some way : to become more developed, mature, etc.

: to become larger and change from being a child to being an adult as time passes : to pass from childhood to adulthood

grew \ˈgrü\ grown \ˈgrōn\ grow·ing

Full Definition of GROW

intransitive verb

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>

a : to increase in size by assimilation of material into the living organism or by accretion of material in a nonbiological process (as crystallization)

b : increase, expand <grows in wisdom>

: to develop from a parent source <the book grew out of a series of lectures>

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

a : to cause to grow <grow wheat>

b : to let grow on the body <grew a beard>

: to promote the development of <start a business and grow it successfully — J. L. Deckter>

— grow·er \ˈgrō(-ə)r\ noun

— grow·ing·ly \ˈgrō-iŋ-lē\ adverb

See grow defined for English-language learners

See grow defined for kids

Origin of GROW

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

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to GROW

Synonyms: crop, cultivate, culture, dress, promote, raise, rear, tend

Rhymes with GROW

beau, blow, bow, bro, Chou, crow, do, doe, dough, floe, flow, foe, fro, froe, glow, go, ho, hoe, jo, Jo, joe, know, lo, low, mho, mot, mow, no, No, O, oh, owe, Poe, pow, pro, rho, roe, row, Rowe, schmo, sew, show, sloe, slow, snow, so, sow, stow, Stowe, strow, though, throe, throw, toe, tow, trow, whoa, woe, yo

GROWING Defined for Kids

grow

verb \ˈgrō\

grew \ˈgrü\grown \ˈgrōn\grow·ing

Definition of GROW for Kids

: to spring up and develop to maturity

: to be able to live and develop <Most algae grow in water.>

: to be related in some way by reason of growing <The tree branches have grown together.>

: ¹increase, expand <The city is growing rapidly.>

: become 1 <Grandma is growing old.>

: to cause to grow : raise <I grow tomatoes.>

— grow·er noun

— grow on

: to become more appealing over time

— grow up

: to become an adult

Medical Dictionary

grow

verb \ˈgrō\

grew \ˈgrü\ grown \ˈgrōn\ grow·ing

Medical Definition of GROW

intransitive verb

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>

: to increase in size by addition of material by assimilation into the living organism or by accretion in a nonbiological process (as crystallization)

transitive verb

: to cause to grow <grew bacteria in culture>