Meaning 1
To become larger, stronger, or more developed over time.
Reach for it when describing gradual progress in a person, skill, relationship, or organization
Her confidence grew as each presentation became more familiar.
Meaning 2
To cultivate a living thing until it develops.
Reach for it when describing active production of plants, food, hair, or similar growth
The school will grow herbs in boxes beside the kitchen.
| Meaning 1 | Meaning 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| everyday | ||
| warm |
| |
| professional | ||
| formal |
warm
Fits when judgment or capability becomes more complete with time
Careful Mature implies movement toward adulthood or readiness, not every kind of growth.
professional
Fits when complexity, skill, or maturity increases through stages
Careful Develop can involve qualitative change without becoming larger or stronger.
professional
expand
Fits when scope, size, or reach becomes broader
Careful Expansion may be rapid or mechanical rather than organic development.
professional
Fits when quality becomes better by a known standard
Careful Growth can occur without improvement, and improvement can happen without expansion.
everyday
plant
Fits when putting seeds or young plants into place is the action
Careful Planting begins the process but does not guarantee successful growth.
everyday
raise
Fits when living things are cared for from an early stage
Careful Raise fits animals and children more naturally than crops in some dialects.
professional
Fits when deliberate care helps plants or qualities develop
Careful Cultivate emphasizes tending, not simply producing.
formal
propagate
Fits when new plants are produced from seeds, cuttings, or other stock
Careful The technical term is too specific for ordinary gardening.
grow stronger
The partnership began to grow stronger after the first shared project.
grow into
The apprentice will grow into the role with practice and honest feedback.
grow vegetables
Residents grow vegetables in every sunny corner of the courtyard.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated
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