grow apart

B1 neutral intransitive

In simple words

When two people who used to be close friends or partners slowly stop having as much in common and don't feel as close anymore.

Literal meaning: To grow (develop/change) in ways that take you apart — largely transparent.

Meanings

1 B1 idiomatic neutral

common

To gradually become emotionally distant from someone as a result of changing interests, circumstances, or values over time.

"After college, we grew apart — she moved abroad, I stayed in the city, and we just had less and less to talk about."

""People grow apart. It doesn't have to mean anyone is wrong.""
— Widely attributed sentiment; used frequently in literary and self-help contexts. No single verified source.

Usage notes

Always intransitive and used without an object. Very common when talking about friendships, romantic relationships, or family members. The process is gradual and rarely the result of a single event. Frequently used in a melancholy or reflective context.

Commonly used with

friends couple siblings partners over time gradually

Forms

Base

grow apart

I/you/we/they

3rd person

grows apart

he/she/it

Past simple

grew apart

yesterday

Past participle

grown apart

have + pp

-ing form

growing apart

continuous

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Synonyms

drift apart become estranged lose touch go separate ways distance oneself

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