grow
A1/A2 (High frequency)Neutral, used in all registers from informal to formal.
Definition
Meaning
To increase in size, quantity, or degree over time; to develop or become larger.
To cause something to increase/develop; to cultivate; to become attached or accustomed; to arise.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily an intransitive verb describing natural development. As a transitive verb, it often means to cultivate or cause to grow. 'Grow' can describe physical size, numbers, intensity, and abstract development (e.g., grow wiser).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
British English prefers 'grow' for cultivating plants ('grow roses'). American English also uses 'grow' more broadly for non-living things, like a business ('grow the company'), though this is now common in both. Past participle 'grew' is standard; 'growed' is non-standard/dialectal.
Connotations
In both, 'grow' has positive connotations of natural, healthy development. 'Grow on someone' (become liked) is equally idiomatic.
Frequency
Extremely high frequency in both varieties with minimal difference.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Subject + grow (intransitive)Subject + grow + adjectiveSubject + grow + to-infinitiveSubject + grow + object (transitive)Subject + grow + adverb/prepositional phraseVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “grow on someone”
- “grow out of something”
- “money doesn't grow on trees”
- “let the grass grow under one's feet”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used for business expansion: 'The company aims to grow its market share.'
Academic
Used for trends and development: 'Interest in the topic grew significantly.'
Everyday
Used for personal change and plants: 'The children are growing fast.' 'I grow tomatoes.'
Technical
In biology/computing: 'The culture grew in the petri dish.' 'The algorithm allows the dataset to grow dynamically.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We grow a variety of vegetables in our allotment.
- He grew to appreciate classical music.
- The political tension is growing.
- Mind the gap as the train grows into the station.
American English
- We're looking to grow the business in the Midwest.
- She grew tired of the constant delays.
- The crowd grew quiet as the speaker began.
- You've really grown since I last saw you!
adverb
British English
- (Rare; 'growing' is participle adjective) The ever-growing queue was discouraging.
American English
- (Rare; 'growing' is participle adjective) The rapidly growing city needed new infrastructure.
adjective
British English
- The fast-growing weed is a problem.
- A well-grown oak tree stood in the field.
American English
- She works for a growing tech startup.
- He bought a full-grown German Shepherd.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Babies grow very quickly.
- Plants need water to grow.
- I want to grow flowers in my garden.
- The city has grown a lot in the past ten years.
- He's growing a beard for the winter.
- I grew up in a small village.
- The company plans to grow its online presence.
- She grew increasingly concerned about the news.
- A feeling of doubt began to grow in his mind.
- The movement grew out of widespread social discontent.
- Investors urged the firm to grow organically rather than through acquisitions.
- He had grown accustomed to her eccentricities.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a plant with roots (gr-) that gets taller and wider, going 'oh!' (like /ɡrəʊ/) as it grows.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHANGE IS MOTION; DEVELOPING/IMPROVING IS GROWING (e.g., 'grow a business', 'grow as a person').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Russian 'расти' is primarily intransitive. The transitive use 'to grow tomatoes' is 'выращивать'.
- Confusing 'grow' with 'become'. 'He became angry' is more sudden; 'He grew angry' implies a gradual process.
- 'Grow up' means to mature/age, not just get taller.
Common Mistakes
- *I am growing my hair long. (Correct: I am growing my hair long / I am letting my hair grow.) - This is actually standard.
- *The population is growing up. (Incorrect for mere increase; 'growing up' implies maturing.)
- *She grew a doctor. (Incorrect; use 'became' for professions.)
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'grow' used incorrectly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this is now standard in both British and American English, though it was once considered more American. It means to develop or expand a business.
'Grow' generally means to increase in size or develop. 'Grow up' specifically refers to the process of becoming an adult, both physically and mentally.
Yes, with adjectives describing states: 'grow anxious', 'grow impatient', 'grow fond of'. It indicates a gradual change in emotional state.
The past tense is 'grew' (e.g., 'He grew taller'). The past participle is 'grown' (e.g., 'It has grown dark'). 'Growed' is non-standard.
Collections
Part of a collection
Health and Body
A2 · 48 words · Talking about health, illness and medical care.