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
If Detroit is going to grow up into a real contender, Monday’s Game 4 feels like a must-win. —
Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026 Bill grew up in the tiny borough of Youngsville in Warren County, Penn. —Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026 Moreover, Mamdani did not exactly grow up in poverty himself. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026 The 6-4, 300 pounder, who grew up in Canada, was named second-team All ACC last season. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 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.
Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026 Bill grew up in the tiny borough of Youngsville in Warren County, Penn. —Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 26 Apr. 2026 Moreover, Mamdani did not exactly grow up in poverty himself. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026 The 6-4, 300 pounder, who grew up in Canada, was named second-team All ACC last season. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grow up
Cite this Entry
“Grow up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/grow%20up. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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