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to burgeon forth

to burgeon forth

7.8
To begin to grow quickly, often as new shoots or leaves
  • phrasal verb
  • /ˈbɜrdʒən fɔrθ/
translation icon : brotar
  • In the warm sunlight, the tree branches started to burgeon forth with fresh green leaves.

Examples

  • With the arrival of spring, new flowers began to burgeon forth from the once-bare soil.

  • After the rain, the plants in the garden quickly burgeon forth, filling the air with vibrant colors.

  • This plethora of remedial strategies has burgeoned forth from the theories within broadly defined areas of learning disabilities.

    Academic text (1991)

Synonyms

to grow
vsto burgeon forth
958 2.2

Start to exist or slowly develop, as with an idea

implies a faster, more sudden beginning of physical plant growth
to sprout
vsto burgeon forth
68 2.0

To begin to grow new shoots or leaves

implies a quicker, more vigorous onset of shoots or branches
to blossom
vsto burgeon forth
44 3.4

To grow and become more successful or confident

is narrower, pointing to quick physical budding rather than general thriving
to burgeon
vsto burgeon forth
28 7.6

To grow or increase very quickly

is the phrasal variant that adds an outward or forceful nuance
to shoot
vsto burgeon forth
16 2.8

To begin to grow new stems or buds from a plant

highlights faster, more forceful emergence rather than general starting
to bud
vsto burgeon forth
11 1.0

To start to grow as a new shoot on a plant

emphasizes faster and more vigorous growth into branches
to germinate
vsto burgeon forth
10 4.8

To begin to grow from a seed or spore

focuses on rapid shoot or branch emergence rather than seed start
to begin to sprout
vsto burgeon forth
1 3.2

To start growing, usually of plants or seeds

stresses a more rapid and forceful sprouting of shoots
to begin to blossom
vsto burgeon forth
1 3.4

To grow and become more successful or confident

is more literal and plant-focused, stressing rapid shoot emergence
to bourgeon
vsto burgeon forth
9.9

To start to grow quickly, often by forming buds

is the same sense but differs as an alternate spelling or form
to bush out
vsto burgeon forth
4.4

To grow outward and make many branches so the plant looks fuller

is similar but stresses a quick burst of new shoots
to blossom forth
vsto burgeon forth
4.6

To grow and develop in a clear, positive way

focuses more on sudden, vigorous shoot growth rather than general flourishing

Antonyms

72 5.1

To become smaller or less in number over time

19 6.8

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

How Quickly

to burgeon forth
7.8
to sprout
68 2.0
to bud
11 1.0
to grow
1.0

Surface Forms

burgeon forth infinitive
burgeoned forth past participle
burgeoning forth present participle
burgeons forth third person singular

Morphology

burgeon + forth

Both constituents directly contribute to the overall meaning: 'burgeon' = to grow/develop rapidly and 'forth' = outward/emerging into notice, so together they mean to begin to grow or sprout and come forth. This compositional verb + particle pattern is regular and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both words should be able to infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Burgeon forth comes from a simple plant picture: burgeon once meant a new bud or shoot pushing out and forth means 'out'. So, it now means 'to begin to grow or develop quickly', like shoots pushing up from the ground in spring.