1 B1 neutral
To allow hair, a hairstyle, or hair dye to grow so that it returns to its natural length or color.
"She decided to grow out her bob and donate the hair to charity once it was long enough."
inseparable
grow out
B1 neutral inseparable transitive/intransitive
To allow hair or a dye to return to its natural state by letting it grow; or for a plant or shoot to grow outward.
In plain English
To stop cutting or dyeing your hair and let it grow back to how it was naturally.
What does "grow out" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
Of plants or shoots, to grow outward or extend beyond their original position.
"The rose bush has grown out so far that it's now blocking the path."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To grow outward or out from a current state — largely transparent.
Actually means
To stop cutting or dyeing your hair and let it grow back to how it was naturally.
Usage tip
Most commonly used in the context of hair — 'growing out a fringe', 'growing out highlights.' Also used for plants growing outward (shoots, roots). Intransitive ('my hair is growing out') and transitive ('I'm growing out my fringe') both occur.
Words that pair with "grow out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
hair fringe dye highlights roots perm
How to conjugate "grow out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
grow out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
grows out
he/she/it
Past simple
grew out
yesterday
Past participle
grown out
have + pp
-ing form
growing out
continuous
Hear "grow out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "grow out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "grow out"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
extend outward grow back let grow naturally return to natural state
Keep exploring
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