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
In January 2024, the actress told BuzzFeed Canada that, growing up, her celebrity crushes included Kurt Cobain, Jeff Buckley and Heath Ledger.
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Chelsea Clark
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Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 5 June 2025
The company was started by Jonathan Strauss, who grew up playing in the New Jersey hardcore scene, and, since launching the company in 2019, NEVEN eyewear has grown to sell over $30 million worth of eyewear annually.
—Quentin Thane Singer, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Now as parents, Draco — as well as Harry, Ron and Hermione — are grown up and sending their own children off to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 5 June 2025
Rain grew up in a family of six that relied on food stamps.
—Rachel Hale, USA Today, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for grow up
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Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 5 June 2025
The company was started by Jonathan Strauss, who grew up playing in the New Jersey hardcore scene, and, since launching the company in 2019, NEVEN eyewear has grown to sell over $30 million worth of eyewear annually.
—Quentin Thane Singer, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
Now as parents, Draco — as well as Harry, Ron and Hermione — are grown up and sending their own children off to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 5 June 2025
Rain grew up in a family of six that relied on food stamps.
—Rachel Hale, USA Today, 5 June 2025
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 8 Jun. 2025.
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