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to grow

to grow

∞ 1.0
Become larger or more physically mature
  • verb
  • /ɡroʊ/
: crecer
  • Children grow quickly, especially during their teenage years.
  • fast-growing
  • continue to grow
  • grow rapidly

I thought it was a good idea to grow my my reach.

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Examples

  • Water use by the energy sector is expected to grow by 30 to 100 percent globally.

    Academic text (2011)
  • When I saw them succeed and grow, I knew I needed to keep doing the work!

    Academic text (2015)
  • It's just not going to grow quite as fast.

  • I thought it was a good idea to grow my my reach.

  • Now to rest and grow strong.

  • Since the year 2000, world output has grown anywhere from 2 to 4% per year.

    Academic text (2008)
  • So as demand grows, the base grows with it.

  • And because businesses that grow, grow with Shopify.

  • After multiple years in these countries, a growing number have permanently resettled in the United States.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Organic farming has been one of the fastest-growing markets in agriculture during the last twenty years.

    Academic text (2012)

Synonyms

to increase
vsto grow
∞ 1.0

To make something larger or more in number

includes developing maturity or importance beyond simple size change
to develop
vsto grow
∞ 1.6

To grow or change slowly to become more mature

is more basic, also covering simple increases in size or amount
to expand
vsto grow
917 2.5

To grow larger in size, amount, or importance

also covers becoming more mature or developed, not only bigger
to rise
vsto grow
630 1.0

To become greater in amount or strength

is wider, also describing longer term development or maturation
to evolve
vsto grow
581 4.0

To change or develop slowly over time, often becoming more advanced

is broader, including plain increases in amount or size
to gain
vsto grow
467 1.1

To get more of something over time, like weight or money

adds the idea of developing into a more mature or important state
to build up
vsto grow
426 3.0

Increase slowly over time

can also mean becoming more developed or mature, not only buildup
to thrive
vsto grow
233 3.2

To grow well and be successful

is neutral and can describe growth without success or flourishing
to escalate
vsto grow
220 5.5

To become larger, more serious, or more intense

is neutral and can mean gradual increases or simple development
to mature
vsto grow
95 3.5

To become fully grown or developed

is less specific about final perfection and covers simple enlargement
to ramp
vsto grow
71 4.5

To increase something gradually in stages

is more general, covering both staged and continuous development
to enlarge
vsto grow
67 3.0

To make something bigger in size or amount

is broader, adding development, maturity, or growing importance
to ramp up
vsto grow
64 4.1

To increase something, especially its amount or speed

is neutral and also refers to slow natural development or maturation
to proliferate
vsto grow
23 9.5

Increase quickly in number or make something increase quickly

is more general, including slow or qualitative developments too
to scale up
vsto grow
18 3.9

Increase the size or amount of something so it still works well

is broader, permitting uneven or qualitative development and maturity
to blossom into
vsto grow
14 3.8

Gradually grow into a better or more mature form

can mean any kind of increase, not only improvement or betterment
to burgeon
vsto grow
10 7.6

To grow or increase very quickly

also covers slower, steady increases and ordinary development
to embiggen
vsto grow
  • Slang
1 9.9

To make something bigger, often in a joking way

is the standard neutral term without playful or joking register

Antonyms

159 2.8

Become less in amount or value

147 3.7

To become less in size, importance, or value

Idioms

to grow a pair
  • Offensive
10 9.9

To become braver and more confident in difficult situations

to grow some balls
  • Offensive
6 9.9

To become braver and act when you are afraid

Being apart from someone makes you care for them more

to grow a set
  • Offensive
1 9.9

To become more brave and confident when facing problems

1 8.1

Not easy to find or get

Wait too long to act and miss a chance

1 9.9

A very quiet place where even the smallest sounds seem noticeable

1 9.4

To become less upset by criticism or problems

Phrasal Verbs

∞ 1.3

To change from a child into an adult

Stop liking, doing, or feeling something as you get older

60 2.9

To help something become bigger or better over time

To join so closely that two things become one, for example plants or bones

4 3.5

To spread over something and cover it, as moss or vines do

Become an adult and start a steady life with a job or family

To slowly become more liked by someone

How Big

to balloon
20 4.7
to swell
128 3.2
to expand
917 2.5
to grow
∞ 1.0
to increase
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

grow infinitive
growing present participle
grows third person singular
grew past
grown past participle

Etymology

Grow comes from an old Germanic word grōwan that meant 'to become green', like a plant sprouting in spring. So, to grow now means to get larger or more developed over time.