grow
GROH
Grow (verb) means to increase in size, amount, or extent over time. Example: “The queue seemed to grow longer every time I looked at it.”
verb
1
To increase in size, amount, or extent over time.
"The queue seemed to grow longer every time I looked at it."
"The company has grown rapidly over the past five years."
"Children grow so fast at that age."
2
To develop or mature, physically or personally.
"Teenagers grow in confidence as they take on more responsibility."
"She has grown a lot as a person since moving abroad."
"Travelling alone helped him grow into a more patient person."
3
To cultivate plants or cause them to develop.
"My grandfather grows roses and sells them at the village fair."
"We tried to grow basil on the kitchen windowsill this summer."
"They grow tomatoes and peppers in the back garden."
4
To gradually come to have a quality or feeling.
"I began to grow fond of the little flat after a few weeks."
"He grew tired of the constant arguing."
"The sky began to grow dark as we reached the top of the hill."
How to use grow
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo get bigger, develop, or cultivate something so it develops.
Common pairings
grow up
grow tired
grow crops
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- grows
- Past tense
- grew, growed, grown
Fill the gap
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The queue seemed to _____ longer every time I looked at it.
Etymology
From Old English grōwan, meaning to grow or flourish, sharing a root with the words growth, grass, and green.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for grow
See all rhymes for grow →Frequently asked questions
What does “grow” mean?
The word “grow” means to increase in size, amount, or extent over time. In plain terms, to get bigger, develop, or cultivate something so it develops.
How do you pronounce “grow”?
“Grow” is pronounced GROH (/ˈɡɹoʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “grow” in a sentence?
Here is “grow” used in a sentence: “The company has grown rapidly over the past five years.”
What is the opposite of “grow”?
The opposite of “grow” — its antonyms — is shrink.
What part of speech is “grow”?
“Grow” is a verb.
Where does the word “grow” come from?
The word “grow” comes from Old English. From Old English grōwan, meaning to grow or flourish, sharing a root with the words growth, grass, and green.
Is “grow” a common word?
“Grow” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “grow” have?
“Grow” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to increase in size, amount, or extent over time.
What is the difference between grow and increase?
'Grow' suggests gradual, often natural or organic development, like a child growing or a plant growing taller. 'Increase' is more general and neutral, referring to any rise in number or amount, which can be sudden. Prices increase; living things grow. In business, though, the two are often used interchangeably.
What is the opposite of grow?
The main opposites are 'shrink' and 'decline,' describing a decrease in size or amount. 'Contract,' 'diminish,' and 'wither' also work depending on context — 'wither' for plants, 'contract' for economies. When something stops expanding and gets smaller over time, it is the reverse of growing.
Can a business grow?
Yes. When people say a business grows, they mean it expands — earning more revenue, gaining customers, hiring staff, or opening new locations. This growth can be gradual or rapid. The word borrows from living things, picturing a company that develops and gets bigger over time much like an organism does.
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