What does grow mean?
Grow is a versatile verb describing development through a gradual increase in size, maturity, quantity, or intensity. It can describe plants and crops, children and animals, businesses and organizations, and abstract qualities such as confidence or suspicion. The word may function intransitively, as in “The plants grew quickly,” or transitively, as in “They grew tomatoes in the garden.” Its basic connotation is positive or neutral: growth suggests progress, vitality, and increasing opportunity. Nevertheless, the verb can also refer to unpleasant developments, such as weeds spreading or a problem becoming more serious. Grow is especially useful because it applies both to physical processes and to personal, social, or economic development. The related noun growth is common in discussions of biology, business, finance, and personal development, while grown and growing are frequently used as participles and adjectives.
verbTo develop, mature, or increase in size, amount, or intensity. It can also mean to cultivate plants or cause something to develop.
- To increase in size, number, amount, or intensity.
- To develop or mature over time.
- To cultivate plants or produce crops.
- To come gradually to have a particular quality, feeling, or reputation.
"The seedlings grew steadily in the warm sunlight."
"The young trees grew taller each spring."
"Her business grew rapidly as more customers discovered its products."
The word grow has deep roots in the same ancient linguistic family as green, connecting the act of growing with the color associated with new life.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
Related word forms
How grow is actually used
The word is neutral in register and can be used in literal, figurative, and economic contexts. In American English, it is especially common in phrases referring to children growing up.
Easily confused with grow
Grow means to develop or increase, whereas glow means to emit a soft light or radiate warmth.