grow up

verb

grew up; grown up; growing up; grows up

intransitive verb

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.

Synonyms

• age
• develop
• grow
• mature
• progress
• ripen

Examples of grow up in a Sentence

everyone has to grow up at some point in their lives

Recent Examples on the Web

For once, the next generation of footballers might just grow up wanting to play in defence. —Michael Cox, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025

Tauber, an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences member, grew up in Glencoe, Ill. —Abigail Lee, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025

Like thousands of Texans, Chappell’s Texas Longhorns-loving family grew up stopping at one of West’s bakeries for kolaches on their way to or from Austin games. —Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Jan. 2025

Shirley grew up in Perrine and loved to fish and play football. —Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

grow up

verb

: to grow toward or reach full mental and physical growth