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grow

grow [ grō ] (past grew [ groo ], past participle grown [ grōn ], present participle grow·ing, 3rd person present singular grows)

verb

Definition:

1. intransitive verb get bigger: to become larger in size through natural development

2. intransitive verb become larger or greater: to expand or become more developed or intense

The number of members will grow rapidly.

Excitement is growing.

3. intransitive verb develop naturally: to be capable of developing naturally and remaining in a naturally healthy state

Plants won't grow in this soil.

4. intransitive verb be product of something: to develop from something else

Hatred grew out of mutual ignorance.

5. intransitive verb become: to move from one condition to another, especially gradually

The night grew cold.

6. transitive verb cause something to grow: to make something, especially plants, grow and develop

We grow tomatoes in the greenhouse.

7. transitive verb develop something naturally: to produce something or allow it to be produced as part of a natural process

grow a mustache

8. transitive verb expand something: to develop, expand, and stimulate something, especially a business, a line of business, or an economic market

an attempt to grow the company's market share

[ Old English grōwan< Indo-European]

grow·er noun

Word Usage


	Metaphorical uses of grow as a transitive verb are sometimes considered unacceptable: grow the economy and grow a stock portfolio. There are no grounds for objecting to literal physical senses of the transitive verb: grow a beard;grow corn. Nor are there grounds for objecting to metaphorical uses of the intransitive verb: The economy grew rapidly.

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