grow: Meaning and Definition of

grow

Pronunciation: (grō), [key]
— v., grew, grown, grow•ing.
—v.i.
  1. to increase by natural development, as any living organism or part by assimilation of nutriment; increase in size or substance.
  2. to form and increase in size by a process of inorganic accretion, as by crystallization.
  3. to arise or issue as a natural development from an original happening, circumstance, or source: Our friendship grew from common interests.
  4. to increase gradually in size, amount, etc.; become greater or larger; expand: His influence has grown.
  5. to become gradually attached or united by or as if by growth: The branches of the trees grew together, forming a natural arch.
  6. to come to be by degrees; become: to grow old.
  7. to lie or extend in a certain direction, as an anchor cable.
—v.t.
  1. to cause to grow: They grow corn.
  2. to allow to grow: to grow a beard.
  3. to cover with a growth (used in the passive): a field grown with corn.
  4. He'll grow into his brother's suits before long.
    1. to become large enough for:He'll grow into his brother's suits before long.
    2. to become mature or experienced enough for:She grew into the job, although she wasn't qualified for it at first.
  5. An uneasy feeling grew upon him as he went through the old house.
    1. to increase in influence or effect:An uneasy feeling grew upon him as he went through the old house.
    2. to become gradually more liked or accepted by:a village by the sea that grows on one.
  6. He has grown out of all his clothes.
    1. to become too large or mature for; outgrow:He has grown out of all his clothes.
    2. to originate in; develop from:The plan grew out of a casual conversation.
  7. New cities grew up in the desert.
    1. to be or become fully grown; attain mental or physical maturity.
    2. to come into existence; arise:New cities grew up in the desert.

Grow

Pronunciation: (grō), [key]
  1. 1822–1907, U.S. political leader: Speaker of the House 1861–63.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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