growth
GROHTH
Growth (noun) means an increase in size, amount or value over time. Example: “The company reported 12 per cent growth in the last quarter.”
noun
1
An increase in size, amount or value over time.
"The company reported 12 per cent growth in the last quarter."
"Rapid population growth has put pressure on housing."
"The town's economic growth has brought new shops and jobs."
2
The process by which a living thing gets bigger or develops.
"Warm weather triggers a burst of growth in the seedlings."
"Sleep matters most during periods of rapid growth in childhood."
"Plenty of sunlight and water helps the healthy growth of young plants."
3
medical A lump of abnormal tissue in or on the body.
"The vet removed a small growth from the dog's ear."
"The doctor said the growth on her arm was harmless and did not need treatment."
"He noticed a small growth under his skin and booked an appointment."
How to use growth
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGetting bigger, or the amount something has got bigger by.
When to use it
Neutral and very common in business and economics, where it is usually uncountable.
Memory tip
Uncountable in most senses ('there was little growth'), but countable in the medical sense ('two small growths').
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
economic growth
growth rate
rapid growth
personal growth
growth in demand
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The company reported 12 per cent _____ in the last quarter.
Etymology
From the verb grow, of Germanic origin, with the noun-forming suffix -th as in width and depth.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
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.
What is the meaning of growth?
"growth" (noun) means an increase in size, amount or value over time.
What is another word for growth?
Other words for "growth" include increase, expansion, rise, development, increment, emergence.
