Growth

/ɡroʊθ/

nounBeginnerVery CommonGeneral

Definitions

2 meanings
1

The process of growing or developing physically, or in size or degree.

/ɡroʊθ/

nounneutralBeginner
General

The process of increasing in size or development.

The rapid growth of the company surprised investors.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're a little kid getting bigger! Growth is all about becoming larger or more developed, like when your body gets bigger or your skills get better.

👶 For kids: Getting bigger and better!

More Examples

2

The doctor monitored the child's growth.

3

The city experienced significant population growth.

How It's Used

Biology

"The plant showed rapid growth after being watered."

Economics

"Economic growth slowed during the recession."

Personal Development

"Personal growth is an important part of self-improvement."

2

A result or consequence of growing or developing.

/ɡroʊθ/

nounneutralmedium
General

Something that has grown or developed.

The doctor examined the unusual growth.

💡 Simply: Sometimes 'growth' can also mean something that's the *result* of growing, like a bump on your arm that the doctor checks out or the new leaves on a tree.

👶 For kids: Something that grew!

More Examples

2

The new growth on the tree was a sign of spring.

3

She noticed a strange growth in the garden.

How It's Used

Medical

"The doctor detected an unusual growth during the examination."

Botany

"The gardener removed the new growth from the rose bush."

Tip:Picture a new shoot on a plant – a direct result of growth.

Idioms & expressions

growth spurt

A sudden period of rapid growth, especially in a child.

"My son is having a growth spurt and eating everything in sight."

organic growth

Growth that arises from the internal resources of a company, not from mergers or acquisitions.

"The company's focus on organic growth has led to steady but sustainable profits."

From Middle English growthe, from Old English grōwan (to grow) + -th (suffix indicating state or condition).

Historically used in various contexts to describe increase in size or development, both literally and metaphorically.

Memory tip

Think of a plant growing taller – that's growth!

Word Origin

Root: grōwan

grawthgroweth

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written