grow
to increase by natural development, as any living organism or part by assimilation of nutriment; increase in size or substance.
to form and increase in size by a process of inorganic accretion, as by crystallization.
to arise or issue as a natural development from an original happening, circumstance, or source: Our friendship grew from common interests.
to increase gradually in size, amount, etc.; become greater or larger; expand: His influence has grown.
to become gradually attached or united by or as if by growth: The branches of the trees grew together, forming a natural arch.
to come to be by degrees; become: to grow old.
Nautical. to lie or extend in a certain direction, as an anchor cable.
to cause to grow: They grow corn.
to allow to grow: to grow a beard.
to cover with a growth (used in the passive): a field grown with corn.
grow into,
to become large enough for: He'll grow into his brother's suits before long.
to become mature or experienced enough for: She grew into the job, although she wasn't qualified for it at first.
grow on / upon
to increase in influence or effect: An uneasy feeling grew upon him as he went through the old house.
to become gradually more liked or accepted by: a village by the sea that grows on one.
grow out of,
to become too large or mature for; outgrow: He has grown out of all his clothes.
to originate in; develop from: The plan grew out of a casual conversation.
grow up,
to be or become fully grown; attain mental or physical maturity.
to come into existence; arise: New cities grew up in the desert.
Idioms about grow
grow a pair, Slang: Vulgar. pair1 (def. 23).
Origin of grow
1Other words for grow
Opposites for grow
Other words from grow
- grow·a·ble, adjective
- re·grow, verb, re·grew, re·grown, re·grow·ing.
Other definitions for Grow (2 of 2)
Ga·lu·sha Aaron [guh-loo-shuh], /gəˈlu ʃə/, 1822–1907, U.S. political leader: Speaker of the House 1861–63.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for grow
/ (ɡrəʊ) /
(of an organism or part of an organism) to increase in size or develop (hair, leaves, or other structures)
(intr; usually foll by out of or from) to originate, as from an initial cause or source: the federation grew out of the Empire
(intr) to increase in size, number, degree, etc: the population is growing rapidly
(intr) to change in length or amount in a specified direction: some plants grow downwards; profits over the years grew downwards
(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
(intr usually foll by up) to come into existence: a close friendship grew up between them
(intr foll by together) to be joined gradually by or as by growth: the branches on the tree grew together
(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
(when intr, foll by with) to become covered with a growth: the path grew with weeds
to produce (plants) by controlling or encouraging their growth, esp for home consumption or on a commercial basis
Origin of grow
1- See also grow into, grow on, grow out of, grow up
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
Other Idioms and Phrases with grow
In addition to the idioms beginning with grow
- growing pains
- grow into
- grow on
- grow out of
- grow up
also see:
- absence makes the heart grow fonder
- let the grass grow under one's feet
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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