grew: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
A2Neutral. Common across all registers from informal conversation to formal/academic writing.
Quick answer
What does “grew” mean?
The past tense of 'grow' – to increase in size, quantity, intensity, or maturity over time.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The past tense of 'grow' – to increase in size, quantity, intensity, or maturity over time.
Developed, evolved, advanced, or became different through a process of change. Used for physical, abstract, and emotional states.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling of related words may differ (e.g., 'grey' vs. 'gray'), but 'grew' is identical.
Connotations
None specific to either variant.
Frequency
Equally common in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “grew” in a Sentence
Subject + grew (intransitive)Subject + grew + adjective/complementSubject + grew + from/into/out of + noun phraseVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “grew” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The queue grew longer in the pouring rain.
- He grew quite fond of his neighbour's cat.
- Our concern grew as the news unfolded.
American English
- The line grew longer in the pouring rain.
- She grew really tired of the constant delays.
- Support for the initiative grew quickly.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"Market share grew by 15% last quarter."
Academic
"The researcher's interest in the topic grew throughout the longitudinal study."
Everyday
"I grew tired of waiting, so I left."
Technical
"The crystal grew under controlled temperature conditions."
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “grew”
- Incorrect: 'He growed up fast.' (Childlike error) Correct: 'He grew up fast.'
- Incorrect: 'She has grew a lot.' (Wrong past participle) Correct: 'She has grown a lot.'
- Incorrect overuse in progressive contexts: 'While I was grew...' Correct: 'While I was growing...'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's highly versatile. It applies to abstract concepts (interest grew), feelings (love grew), situations (tension grew), and organizations (the business grew).
'Grew' emphasizes a gradual process of change, often internal or organic. 'Became' can be more sudden or simply states a change of state. 'He grew angry' (slowly, visibly); 'He became angry' (possibly instantaneously).
The past participle is 'grown,' not 'grew.' Correct forms are: Present Perfect: 'has/have grown'; Past Perfect: 'had grown'; Future Perfect: 'will have grown.'
In its primary meaning (to increase in size), it is intransitive (The tree grew). However, in the sense of 'cultivate' or 'cause to grow,' it can be transitive, especially in American English (He grew a beard / He grew tomatoes).
The past tense of 'grow' – to increase in size, quantity, intensity, or maturity over time.
Grew is usually neutral. common across all registers from informal conversation to formal/academic writing. in register.
Grew: in British English it is pronounced /ɡruː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡruː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Grew like a weed”
- “Grew on me (became liked)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a small plant you once KNEW, that later GREW.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHANGE IS MOTION (e.g., 'grew into a leader'); INCREASE IS UP (e.g., 'profits grew').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'grew' INCORRECTLY?