Definition

1. Intransitive Verb:
   • To mature into an adult; to progress from childhood to adulthood: The primary meaning refers to the physical, mental, and emotional process of becoming an adult.
   • To develop or arise; to come into existence: Can describe the emergence or development of something, such as a situation, feeling, or trend.

Usage and Examples

• Intransitive Verb:
  • What do you want to be when you grow up? (This asks about future aspirations upon reaching adulthood.)
  • He grew up in a small town. (This describes the process of maturing and spending one's formative years in a specific place.)
  • A serious problem has grown up between the two departments. (This means a problem has developed or arisen.)

Advanced Usage

• Imperative form ("Grow up!"): Used as a command to tell someone to stop behaving in a childish or immature manner.

  • Oh, stop complaining and grow up! (This is a criticism of someone's immature attitude.)

• "to grow up to be": Used to describe what someone became as an adult.

  • She grew up to be a famous scientist. (This connects the process of maturing with the adult outcome.)

Variants and Related Words

• Grown-up (noun/adjective): An adult; having the characteristics of an adult.

  • The grown-ups were talking at the table. (Noun: refers to the adults.)
  • She is very grown-up for her age. (Adjective: describes mature behavior.)

• Upbringing (noun): The care and training received during childhood.

  • His strict upbringing influenced his values. (This is related to the conditions in which one 'grows up'.)

Synonyms

• Mature: To become fully developed.
• Come of age: To reach adulthood, often with legal or cultural significance.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Grow apart: To become less close over time, often used for friends or family.

  • After college, we just grew apart. (This describes a divergence in paths or interests as people mature.)

• Grow into: To become large enough for something; or to develop into a particular role.

  • The jacket is big, but he'll grow into it. (Literal: becoming physically larger.)
  • She is growing into her new responsibilities. (Figurative: developing the capacity for a role.)

Related Idioms

• Grow up overnight: To mature or take on responsibility very suddenly.

  • When his father died, he had to grow up overnight. (This emphasizes a rapid and forced transition to adulthood.)

• Act your age, don't grow up too fast: Phrases advising someone to match their behavior to their age, often warning children not to rush maturity.

  • Enjoy being a kid; don't grow up too fast. (This encourages savoring childhood.)

Verb

1. become an adult