# Grew

/ˈɡɹu/ (US) · /ɡɹˈuː/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/grew
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. became bigger

verb · CEFR A1

the past tense of 'grow' — you use this to say that a person, plant, or thing became larger in the past.

For teachers: the simple past tense of 'grow', denoting past physical maturation or increase in size.

- The sunflowers grew so tall that they reached the top of the fence.
- The oak tree grew significantly during the wet summer, eventually providing enough shade to cover the entire patio area.

Usage: This is the irregular past tense form of 'grow'.

### 2. developed or increased

verb · CEFR B1

to say that a business, a feeling, or an amount became stronger or larger.

For teachers: the simple past tense of 'grow', used to describe the past expansion of abstract concepts like economies, emotions, or businesses.

- His interest in photography grew after he bought his first camera.
- The small startup grew into a multinational corporation within a decade, largely due to its innovative approach to software distribution.

## Examples

- The small tree grew very tall over the summer.
- The company grew from a small local shop into a national brand within five years.
- As the population grew, the city planners struggled to expand the infrastructure quickly enough to accommodate the influx of new residents.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.