growth
8 synonyms and 3 antonyms for growth, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An increase in size, amount or value over time.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
An increase in size, amount or value over time.
“The company reported 12 per cent growth in the last quarter.”
Opposites
2. noun
The process by which a living thing gets bigger or develops.
“Warm weather triggers a burst of growth in the seedlings.”
How to use growth
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Neutral and very common in business and economics, where it is usually uncountable.
Etymology
From the verb grow, of Germanic origin, with the noun-forming suffix -th as in width and depth.
Full origin of growth →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between growth and development?
Growth is about quantity: something becomes larger or there is more of it. Development is about quality and structure: something becomes more complex, capable or mature. An economy can grow without developing if output rises while institutions and living standards do not.
What does 'growth' mean in business?
Usually an increase in a headline figure such as revenue, customers or profit, measured against an earlier period. Because the base matters, always check what is being compared: 30 per cent growth on a tiny starting figure is not the same achievement as 30 per cent on a large one.