1 C1 neutral
Of a plant, shrub, or hedge: to grow outward in all directions, becoming thick and wide.
"Prune the rosemary regularly or it will bush out and take over the entire flowerbed."
bush out
C1 neutral intransitive
To grow outward thickly, forming a bush-like shape; said of plants, hair, or fur.
In plain English
To grow outward like a bush — getting thick and wide instead of tall and thin.
What does "bush out" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 neutral
Of hair, a beard, or fur: to grow or stand outward thickly, giving a bushy appearance.
"His beard has bushed out so much that his colleagues barely recognise him."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To grow outward like a bush.
Actually means
To grow outward like a bush — getting thick and wide instead of tall and thin.
Usage tip
Primarily used for plants, hair, or animal fur. Not common in everyday speech; more likely in gardening or grooming contexts. Can also be used figuratively for anything spreading outward messily.
Words that pair with "bush out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
hair beard plant hedge fur branches
How to conjugate "bush out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
bush out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
bushes out
he/she/it
Past simple
bushed out
yesterday
Past participle
bushed out
have + pp
-ing form
bushing out
continuous
Hear "bush out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "bush out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "bush out"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.