The phrase "grow out" is pronounced as /ɡroʊ aʊt/ in IPA phonetic transcription. It is spelled using the English alphabet as "grow" with a silent "w" and "out". The word "grow" is derived from the Old English word "grōwan" which means to increase in size or number. The word "out" is a preposition that implies movement away from a particular place or situation. Together, the phrase means something that is no longer in a particular stage, situation or location due to growth or development.
"Grow out" is a phrasal verb that refers to the natural process of allowing something, typically hair or plants, to lengthen, mature, or develop in order to achieve a desired state or appearance.
In the context of hair, "grow out" means to let the hair grow longer or to allow it to return to its natural length. This often occurs when an individual wants to transition from a particular hairstyle, such as a short haircut, to a longer one. During this period, the hair gradually becomes longer, as the person refrains from trimming or cutting it, resulting in a fuller and longer look. The process of growing out hair can take a significant amount of time and patience, particularly if the goal is to achieve substantial length.
When applied to plants or gardening, "grow out" means to nurture and cultivate plants or seeds until they reach a more mature stage. It involves providing the necessary care, such as watering, providing adequate sunlight, and ensuring proper nutrition, for the plants to grow and thrive. This term is commonly used when discussing the progression of plants from seedlings to fully-developed plants, flowers, or fruits.
In essence, "grow out" implies the intentional act of allowing something to mature and develop in a natural way, whether it be hair or plants, to attain a desired outcome.
The word "grow out" consists of two separate words: "grow" and "out".
The word "grow" traces its origin back to the Middle English word "growen", which ultimately comes from the Old English word "grōwan". This word in turn can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "*grōaną", meaning "to grow" or "to become bigger". From Proto-Germanic, it further derives from the Proto-Indo-European root "*gʰreh₁-(u)-", meaning "to grow" or "to become big".
The word "out" is a short adverb derived from the Old English word "ūt". Its root, "ūt" also exists in several other Germanic languages with similar meanings, such as German "aus" and Dutch "uit".