verb (used without object)
1.
to increase by natural development, as any living organism or part by assimilation of nutriment; increase in size or substance.
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.
4.
to increase gradually in size, amount, etc.; become greater or larger; expand: His influence has grown.
5.
to become gradually attached or united by or as if by growth: The branches of the trees grew together, forming a natural arch.
verb (used with object)
8.
to cause to grow: They grow corn.
9.
to allow to grow: to grow a beard.
10.
to cover with a growth (used in the passive): a field grown with corn.
00:10
Grow
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is bowdlerise. Does it mean:
| chat, to converse |
| to expurgate (a written work) by removing or modifying passages considered vulgar or objectionable. |
11.
12.
grow onupon,
a.
to increase in influence or effect: An uneasy feeling grew upon him as he went through the old house.
b.
to become gradually more liked or accepted by: a village by the sea that grows on one.
13.
grow out of,
a.
to become too large or mature for; outgrow: He has grown out of all his clothes.
b.
to originate in; develop from: The plan grew out of a casual conversation.
14.
grow up,
a.
to be or become fully grown; attain mental or physical maturity.
b.
to come into existence; arise: New cities grew up in the desert.
Origin:
before 900; Middle English growen, Old English grōwan; cognate with Dutch groeien, Old High German grouwan, Old Norse grōa
before 900; Middle English growen, Old English grōwan; cognate with Dutch groeien, Old High German grouwan, Old Norse grōa
Related forms
grow·a·ble, adjective
re·grow, verb, re·grew, re·grown, re·grow·ing.
Synonyms
1. develop, multiply, swell, enlarge, expand, extend. 3. originate. 4. wax. 8. raise, cultivate, produce.
1. develop, multiply, swell, enlarge, expand, extend. 3. originate. 4. wax. 8. raise, cultivate, produce.
Antonyms
1. decrease. 4. wane.
1. decrease. 4. wane.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
ʃə
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To grow
Collins
World English Dictionary
grow (ɡrəʊ) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb (usually foll by up) (foll by together) (when intr, | |
| 1. | (of an organism or part of an organism) to increase in size or develop (hair, leaves, or other structures) |
| 2. | (intr; |
| 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 cold; to grow morose; he grew to like her |
| 6. | to come into existence: a close friendship grew up between them |
| 7. | to be joined gradually by or as by growth: the branches on the tree grew together |
| 8. | (intr; |
| 9. | 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 |
| [Old English grōwan; related to Old Norse grōa, Old Frisian grōia, Old High German gruoen; see | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
grow
O.E. growan (of plants) "to flourish, develop, get bigger" (class VII strong verb; past tense greow, pp. growen), from P.Gmc. *gro- (cf. O.N. groa, O.Fris. groia, Du. groeien, O.H.G. gruoen), from root of grass (q.v.). Applied in M.E. to human beings (c.1300) and animals
(1435) and their parts, supplanting O.E. weaxan (see wax (v.)).
"Have you ever heard anything about God, Topsy? ... Do you know who made you?" "Nobody, as I knows on," said the child. ... "I spect I grow'd. Don't think nobody never made me." [Harriet B. Stowe, "Uncle Tom's Cabin," 1851]Grown-up (adj.) "mature" is from 1633; the noun meaning "adult person" is from 1813. Growth is first attested 1557, on model of health, stealth, etc.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
grow (grō)
v. grew (gr&oomacr;), grown (grōn), grow·ing, grows
To increase in size by a natural process.
To develop and reach maturity.
To be capable of growth; thrive.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases
grow
In addition to the idioms beginning with grow, also see absence makes the heart grow fonder; let the grass grow under one's feet.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Example sentences from the web
As the stem tip continues to grow more whorls of flowers are produced.
Large farms and packing plants could grow birds by the tens of thousands.
Growth and reproduction houseleeks grow as tufts of perennial but monocarpic rosettes.
The series was a huge success and continues to grow every year.
Idioms & Phrases
Nearby Words
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