v.
1) (d; intr.) ('to develop') to grow from (oaks grow from acorns)
2) (d; intr.) ('to develop') to grow into (the small shop grew into a large firm)
3) (colloq.) (d; intr.) to grow on ('to become likable') (the strange new sculpture just grows on you)
4) (d; intr.) to grow out of ('to become too large for') (the children grew out of their clothes)
5) (d; intr.) ('to develop') to grow out of (the city grew out of a small village)
6) (d; intr.) ('to develop') to grow to (to grow to adulthood; to grow to one's full height)
7) (E) ('to begin') we grew to love them
8) (s) ('to become') to grow longer; old; older; taller (in the autumn/fall the days grow longer)
USAGE NOTE: The verb grow 'to become' often suggests a gradual process rather than a sudden change. Compare to grow cold (gradually) and to turn cold (suddenly).