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 daughter of two pastors – who grew up shuttling between Florida, Alabama and Atlanta – has become a leading light in culture while implementing rest in her own approach as a young CEO.
—
Jay Stahl, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
This was the refreshing TV show that breathed new life into the Superman franchise and is still fondly remembered by an entire generation that grew up watching the Man of Steel and Lois Lane's blossoming love relationship in Metropolis.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 14 Feb. 2026
Born in Ramallah at the end of the ‘90s, Ayham Hassan grew up privy to the political weight attributed to certain sartorial practices.
—Zoe Whitfield, CNN Money, 14 Feb. 2026
Texans deserve a railroad commissioner who cares about them and is willing to ask the tough questions to protect their land to allow their kids to grow up in this great state.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for grow up
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Jay Stahl, USA Today, 14 Feb. 2026
This was the refreshing TV show that breathed new life into the Superman franchise and is still fondly remembered by an entire generation that grew up watching the Man of Steel and Lois Lane's blossoming love relationship in Metropolis.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 14 Feb. 2026
Born in Ramallah at the end of the ‘90s, Ayham Hassan grew up privy to the political weight attributed to certain sartorial practices.
—Zoe Whitfield, CNN Money, 14 Feb. 2026
Texans deserve a railroad commissioner who cares about them and is willing to ask the tough questions to protect their land to allow their kids to grow up in this great state.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 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 15 Feb. 2026.
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