English Reference

Word

burgeoning

Phoneticsbur·geon·ing

US/ˈbɝdʒənɪŋ/

UK/bˈɜːdʒənɪŋ/

Definitions

01growing quickly

C1

adj. growing or developing very quickly.

adj. expanding or developing rapidly and successfully. Often used as an attributive adjective before a noun to describe a field of interest or a market.

“The city has a burgeoning tech industry that attracts many young workers.”

“The burgeoning demand for sustainable energy has prompted significant investment in offshore wind farms across the region.”

Academic

Usage

Usually placed before the noun it describes.

Teaching tip

This is a sophisticated word for 'growing'. It carries a positive connotation of success and energy.

02new growth

C2

n. the act of starting to grow or expand.

n. the process of budding, sprouting, or beginning a period of rapid expansion.

“The burgeoning of the suburbs changed the landscape of the valley.”

“Historians often point to the burgeoning of trade routes in the late Middle Ages as a catalyst for cultural exchange.”

Formal · Literary

Usage

Often used as a gerund followed by 'of'.

Teaching tip

The noun form is much rarer than the adjective; students should focus on the adjective 'burgeoning' first.

Antonyms

Real-World Examples

“Bouaddi's ability to step up has been a constant throughout his burgeoning career.”
BBC News · 17 Aug 2026
“That spilled over into his burgeoning stage career: at 21, he toured the US in Pokémon Live!.”
The Guardian · 13 Aug 2026

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/burgeoning

English Reference