adj
Common
grown
grohn
Grown (adj) means having reached adulthood or full physical maturity. Example: “She has three grown children living abroad.”
adj
1
Having reached adulthood or full physical maturity.
"She has three grown children living abroad."
"By the time they were grown, the twins had moved to different cities."
"Grown men should know how to cook a simple meal for themselves."
2
Covered with something that has grown, especially vegetation.
"The old path was overgrown with weeds."
"The garden wall was thickly grown with ivy by the end of summer."
"We found a small stone hut, half grown over with moss and brambles."
How to use grown
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFully developed or matured, or covered in growth.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a grown man
grown children
overgrown
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like grown.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Comparative
- more grown
- Superlative
- most grown
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She has three _____ children living abroad.
Etymology
The past participle of grow, formed with the Middle English ending -en.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for grown
See all rhymes for grown →Frequently asked questions
What does “grown” mean?
The word “grown” means having reached adulthood or full physical maturity. In plain terms, fully developed or matured, or covered in growth.
How do you pronounce “grown”?
“Grown” is pronounced grohn (/ɡɹoʊn/ in IPA).
How do you use “grown” in a sentence?
Here is “grown” used in a sentence: “She has three grown children living abroad.”
What is another word for “grown”?
Words with a similar meaning to “grown” include grown up and mature.
What part of speech is “grown”?
“Grown” is an adjective.
Where does the word “grown” come from?
The word “grown” comes from Middle English. The past participle of grow, formed with the Middle English ending -en.
Is “grown” a common word?
“Grown” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “grown” have?
“Grown” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having reached adulthood or full physical maturity.
What is the difference between grown and grown-up?
As adjectives they are close. Grown means fully developed or adult, as in a grown man or a grown tree. Grown-up applies mainly to people, meaning adult in age or behaviour, and also works as a noun — the grown-ups — which grown alone does not.
What is the difference between grown and grew?
Both come from the verb grow. Grew is the simple past tense — she grew three inches last year. Grown is the past participle, used with have or as an adjective — the children have grown, or a grown adult. Mixing them, as in he has grew, is a common error.
What is an example of grown?
Grown describes something that has reached full maturity: a grown man, a grown woman, or grown children living on their own. It also applies beyond people, as in a fully grown tree or a grown animal, in each case stressing that development is complete.
Does grown only apply to people?
No. While phrases like a grown man or grown children are common, grown describes any living thing that has reached full size or maturity. A fully grown oak, a grown horse, or a grown cat all use the word, meaning growth is finished and adult form reached.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include grown:
