grown: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral. Common in both informal and formal contexts.
Quick answer
What does “grown” mean?
Past participle of 'grow'. Describes the state of having increased in size, maturity, or development over time.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Past participle of 'grow'. Describes the state of having increased in size, maturity, or development over time.
Used adjectivally to describe something or someone that has reached a mature or fully developed state; cultivated or produced.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or usage. Spelling in compounds may vary (e.g., 'grownup' vs. 'grown-up'), but both forms are understood in both regions.
Connotations
Slightly more formal or poetic when used adjectivally in British English (e.g., 'a grown man'). In American English, the adjective use is very direct and common.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “grown” in a Sentence
[SUBJ] has/have grown [OBJ] (e.g., She has grown tomatoes)[SUBJ] has/have grown [ADJ] (e.g., He has grown tired)[SUBJ] is/are grown [by AGENT] (e.g., These apples are grown locally)[SUBJ] has/have grown into [NOUN PHRASE] (e.g., The sapling has grown into a tree)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “grown” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We haven't grown courgettes in our garden before.
- She's grown quite fond of their new neighbour.
- This variety is traditionally grown in Cornwall.
American English
- We haven't grown zucchini in our garden before.
- She's grown really attached to their new neighbor.
- This strain is commercially grown in California.
adjective
British English
- He's a grown man and should take responsibility.
- They only sell locally grown produce at the market.
- Their children are all grown and have left home.
American English
- He's a grown man and needs to act like it.
- We buy organically grown vegetables.
- Their kids are all grown up now.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to increased metrics, e.g., 'The company has grown its market share.'
Academic
Used in biological, economic, or social sciences to describe development or increase, e.g., 'The tissue samples were grown in a controlled medium.'
Everyday
Commonly used to talk about people, plants, or feelings, e.g., 'The children have grown so much!' or 'I've grown fond of this place.'
Technical
In agriculture/horticulture: 'crop-grown'; in computing: 'user-grown database'.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “grown”
- Using 'grew' instead of 'grown' in present perfect: *'He has grew' instead of 'He has grown'.
- Using 'grown' as a base verb: *'I want to grown vegetables' instead of 'I want to grow vegetables'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be both. It is the past participle of the verb 'grow'. It is also commonly used as an adjective meaning 'mature' or 'fully developed' (e.g., a grown woman).
'Grew' is the simple past tense (e.g., Yesterday, the plant grew). 'Grown' is the past participle, used with auxiliary verbs like 'have/has/had' to form perfect tenses (e.g., The plant has grown) or to form the passive voice (e.g., It was grown in a greenhouse).
Not typically. 'Grown' as an adjective is not usually modified by 'very'. Use 'fully grown', 'completely grown', or 'all grown up' instead.
It literally means grown at home or locally. Figuratively, it can describe something (like talent or produce) that originates from one's own country, region, or organization, rather than being imported or recruited from outside.
Past participle of 'grow'. Describes the state of having increased in size, maturity, or development over time.
Grown is usually neutral. common in both informal and formal contexts. in register.
Grown: in British English it is pronounced /ɡrəʊn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡroʊn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “grown on someone (to become liked over time)”
- “grown apart (to become distant from someone)”
- “a grown man/woman (an adult, emphasizing expected maturity)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a seed that has been sown and has now GROWN – it's completed its growing process.
Conceptual Metaphor
DEVELOPMENT IS GROWTH (e.g., 'grown the business', 'grown as a person'). MATURITY IS BEING FULLY GROWN.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'grown' used as an adjective?