grow up
verb
grew up; grown up; growing up; grows up
1
a
: to grow toward or arrive at full stature or physical or mental maturity : to progress from childhood toward adulthood
growing up intellectually
grew up in the city
also
: to become an adult
She wants to be a doctor when she grows up.
b
: to stop thinking or behaving in a childish way
He should grow up and accept his responsibilities.
2
: to begin to exist and develop as time passes
A number of cities grew up along the river.
Examples of grow up in a Sentence
everyone has to grow up at some point in their lives
Recent Examples on the Web
The backstory Don Rafa’s story begins far from Puerto Rico, in late-1800s Spain, where Rafael Hernández Salazar grew up with a curiosity and appreciation for craftsmanship.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Feb. 2026
The siblings grew up with their parents among the Cypress trees and grassy horse fields in a rural area outside West Palm Beach.
—Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026
Yount grew up in a wrestling family in Atwood, Kansas, and was immersed in the sport from a very young age.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
Not Refrigerating Your Bacon Grease Although many of us grew up with relatives who stored their bacon grease in a jar or can set on the counter or on the back of the stovetop, food safety experts don't recommend storing it that way now.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grow up
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Feb. 2026
The siblings grew up with their parents among the Cypress trees and grassy horse fields in a rural area outside West Palm Beach.
—Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 21 Feb. 2026
Yount grew up in a wrestling family in Atwood, Kansas, and was immersed in the sport from a very young age.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026
Not Refrigerating Your Bacon Grease Although many of us grew up with relatives who stored their bacon grease in a jar or can set on the counter or on the back of the stovetop, food safety experts don't recommend storing it that way now.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grow up
Cite this Entry
“Grow up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grow%20up. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
