WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
grow /groʊ/USA pronunciation
v., grew/gru/USA pronunciation grown, grow•ing.
v.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026v.
- Developmental Biology to increase in size by a natural process of development:[no object]The children have grown tall.
- (of hair) to (cause to) become longer: [no object]let her hair grow to her waist.[~ + object]I'm trying to grow a beard.
- to (cause to) come into being and develop (as by planting and cultivating): [no object]Several different kinds of plants grow wild here.[~ + object]The farmers grow corn in that region.
- to become stronger or more profound:[no object]Our friendship grew.
- to increase gradually in size, amount, etc.;
expand:[no object]Her influence has grown. - Botany to become gradually attached (or apart) by or as if by growth:[no object]We grew together as our common interests merged. The couple grew apart.
- to come to be by degrees or gradually;
become: [~ + adj]to grow old.[~ + to + verb]I soon grew to love that job.[~ + into + object]The little girl grew into a fine young woman. - grow into, [~ + object]
- to become large or tall enough to wear (an item of clothing):The youngest daughter grew into her sister's clothes.
- to become mature or experienced enough to handle:He eventually grew into his job.
- grow on or upon, [~ + object] to become gradually more liked or accepted by:His jokes will grow on you.
- grow out of, [~ + object]
- to become too large or mature for;
outgrow:has already grown out of her baby clothes. - to originate in;
develop from:The program grew out of a simple idea.
- to become too large or mature for;
- grow up, [no object]
- to be or become fully grown;
to attain maturity. - to come into existence;
arise:New cities grew up in the desert.
- to be or become fully grown;
grow
(grō),USA pronunciation v., grew, grown, grow•ing.
v.i.
v.i.
- Developmental Biologyto increase by natural development, as any living organism or part by assimilation of nutriment;
increase in size or substance. - Crystallographyto 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. - Botanyto 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. - Naval Terms[Naut.]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 or 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.
- to become too large or mature for;
- 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.
- to be or become fully grown;
- bef. 900; Middle English growen, Old English grōwan; cognate with Dutch groeien, Old High German grouwan, Old Norse grōa
v.t.
- 1. develop, multiply, swell, enlarge, expand, extend. 3. originate. 4. wax. 8. raise, cultivate, produce.
- 1. decrease. 4. wane.