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to bourgeon

to bourgeon

9.9
To start to grow quickly, often by forming buds
  • verb
  • /ˈbʊrʒən/
translation icon : brotar
  • As spring approached, the garden began to bourgeon with vibrant flowers and fresh green leaves.

Examples

  • Under ideal conditions, the tree will bourgeon early, showcasing its beautiful blossoms.

  • After weeks of hard work, her creativity began to bourgeon, leading to new and exciting projects.

  • Bourgeoning pluralism in the last several decades makes one skeptical as to whether American religion is "... as exceptional as it was even 25 years ago" (p. 35).

    Academic text (2017)
  • There seemed to be a celebration of my bourgeoning political and social consciousness, and though I expressed it awkwardly as I joined the adult world in their musings, it was all part of my maturation as a woman and a feminist.

    Blog text (18)

Synonyms

to sprout
vsto bourgeon
68 2.0

To begin to grow new shoots or leaves

focuses on quick flourishing and broad development beyond starting
to burgeon
vsto bourgeon
28 7.6

To grow or increase very quickly

is the same meaning but uses an alternate spelling
to shoot
vsto bourgeon
16 2.8

To begin to grow new stems or buds from a plant

highlights faster leafy or branch growth and wider development
to germinate
vsto bourgeon
10 4.8

To begin to grow from a seed or spore

covers rapid plant development beyond the initial seed stage
to burgeon forth
vsto bourgeon
7.8

To begin to grow quickly, often as new shoots or leaves

emphasizes rapid development generally rather than outward focus

Antonyms

91 4.4

To become dry and weak, as with plants or feelings

19 6.8

To stop growing or changing and stay the same, like water in a pond

How Quickly

to flourish
116 4.1
to bourgeon
9.9
to sprout
68 2.0
to bud
11 1.0
to germinate
10 4.8

Surface Forms

bourgeon infinitive
bourgeoned past
bourgeoned past participle
bourgeoning present participle
bourgeons third person singular

Etymology

The word bourgeon comes from the French word bourgeon, which means 'bud'. So to bourgeon is to begin to grow or to flourish quickly, like a plant sending out buds or an idea opening up fast.