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.

Examples of grow up in a Sentence

everyone has to grow up at some point in their lives
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Nicole grew up in Idaho, graduated from Idaho State University and Northwestern University with a master’s degree in journalism. Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 17 June 2025 Chicago Cubs fan Roy Wood Jr. is heading back to the ballpark in a new documentary for Roku. Wood Jr., who spent eight years as a correspondent for The Daily Show, grew up playing baseball in Birmingham, Alabama and is now set to host Going, Going Gone: The Magic of the Home Run. Peter White, Deadline, 17 June 2025 North, 39, grew up about 45 minutes south of Naperville in Manhattan. Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025 But most of my peers had grown up in cities on one of the coasts and had gone to elite schools. Lee Cole june 17, Literary Hub, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for grow up

Word History

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of grow up was in 1535

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grow up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grow%20up. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

grow up

verb
: to grow toward or reach full mental and physical growth

More from Merriam-Webster on grow up

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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