grower
gb/ɡɹˈoʊɚ/ us/ɡɹˈoʊɚ/
B1
English
~ 6500
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
person or business growing crops
A person or business that grows plants or crops to sell.
Usage pattern:
a/an [adjective] grower of [crop]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "farmer" and "grower" as complete synonyms. "Farmer" is more general and can include animals, land management, and many activities, while "grower" focuses on producing specific plants or crops, often for sale. Also, do not say "I am a grower flowers"; use "I am a flower grower" or "I grow flowers".
Synonyms
farmer (Often used for people who work the land in general; "grower" is more specific to producing a particular crop, often for market.)
Antonyms
buyer (A buyer purchases the crops or plants that a grower produces, so they are opposite roles in trade.)
Collocations
fruit grower
|vegetable grower
|coffee grower
|commercial grower
|citrus grower
|crop grower
Themes
agriculture
|business
|food
|work
|food_drink
Examples
- The region is a major fruit grower, supplying supermarkets across the country.
- As a small vegetable grower, she sells her produce at the local farmers' market.
- Coffee growers in the area are worried about the lack of rain this year.
- The company started as a tomato grower and later moved into food processing.
- Many citrus growers are switching to more drought-tolerant varieties.
Learner examples
- My uncle is a tomato grower.
- The fruit grower sells apples and pears.
- Many coffee growers live in this valley.
- The company is a large vegetable grower.
- Some growers use less water to protect the environment.
Noun
B2
entity
2
plant with a certain growth rate
A plant, talked about by how fast or well it grows in a place.
Usage pattern:
a [adjective] grower in [conditions]
Common mistake:
Learners may say "it grows fast plant" instead of using the noun pattern, for example, "It is a fast grower." Also, avoid using this sense for people; with people it sounds childlike or humorous unless you clearly mean physical growth rate.
Synonyms
plant (A very general word; "grower" adds the idea of how well or how fast the plant grows.)
Antonyms
non‑starter (Informal; used when a plant fails to grow at all, the opposite of a successful "grower" in the garden.)
Collocations
fast grower
|slow grower
|good grower
|poor grower
|vigorous grower
|compact grower
Themes
gardening
|nature
|home
|science
Examples
- Lavender is a reliable grower in dry, sunny gardens.
- This variety of bamboo is a very fast grower and can quickly fill a space.
- Roses can be a poor grower in heavy clay soil.
- The shrub is a compact grower, so it suits small gardens.
- In cool climates, tomatoes are often a slow grower and need extra care.
Learner examples
- Basil is a fast grower on the balcony.
- This tree is a slow grower in my garden.
- Lavender is a good grower in sandy soil.
- The plant is a poor grower in the shade.
- That flower is a compact grower and stays small.
Noun
informal
B2
entity
3
thing you like more over time
A thing, for example a song or movie, that you do not like very much at first but like more after some time or after you try it many times.
Usage pattern:
[something] is a real grower
Common mistake:
Learners may try to say "a grow up" or use the verb "grow" instead of the noun, for example, "The song grows on me" is correct as a verb phrase, while "The song is a grower" uses the noun. Also, this sense is informal; avoid it in very formal writing.
Synonyms
slow burner (Similar informal idea; often used for books, films, or relationships that become interesting slowly, not only for how much you like them.)
Antonyms
instant hit (Something you like or that becomes popular immediately, the opposite of something that takes time to appreciate.)
Collocations
a real grower
|definite grower
|slow grower
|album is a grower
|song is a grower
Themes
emotions
|arts
|communication
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The album didn’t grab me at first, but it’s a real grower.
- This show is a bit of a slow grower, so watch a few episodes before you decide.
- The new single is a grower—you appreciate the lyrics more each time.
- It’s not very impressive at first glance, but the book is a quiet grower.
- Her latest podcast is a grower; it gets funnier as you get to know the guests.
Learner examples
- The song is a grower. I like it more every day.
- This TV show is a grower. It gets better after a few episodes.
- The new album is a real grower for me.
- Her cooking is a grower. I enjoy it more with time.
- This book is a grower. It is better in the middle than at the start.
Noun
B2
entity
4
child who grows quickly or slowly
A child (or young animal), talked about by how fast or how slowly it grows in size or height.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a [adjective] grower
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with the plant sense and say things like "my son is a good grower in the garden," which sounds wrong or humorous. Also, this pattern is usually used with children or young animals, not with adults.
Synonyms
fast‑growing child (More explicit description using an adjective and noun instead of the shorter noun "grower".)
Antonyms
slow grower (Used when a child or young animal gains height or size more slowly than others, the opposite of a fast or quick grower.)
Collocations
fast grower
|slow grower
|quick grower
|steady grower
Themes
health
|family
|body
|animals
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Their son has always been a fast grower and is already taller than his classmates.
- Don’t worry, she’s just a slow grower, but the doctor says she’s healthy.
- Puppies from this breed are steady growers and reach full size in about a year.
- Our daughter was a late talker but a quick grower in height.
- He was a slow grower as a child but shot up as a teenager.
Learner examples
- My son is a fast grower. He needs new shoes often.
- The doctor says she is a slow grower but she is fine.
- This puppy is a quick grower.
- Their baby is a steady grower and gains a little weight each week.
- My brother was a slow grower but now he is very tall.
Noun
vulgar
C1
entity
5
penis that becomes much larger when erect
(Vulgar) A penis that looks small when soft but becomes much bigger when it is hard, or a man who has this.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a grower
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this sense is vulgar and may use it in polite or professional situations, which is not appropriate. Also, do not confuse this with the neutral meanings related to plants, children, or businesses.
Synonyms
expanding penis (Describes the same physical idea more clinically; not a set phrase in everyday speech but avoids slang style.)
Antonyms
shower (Slang for a penis (or man) that looks large even when soft and does not change size as much when erect, contrasted with a "grower".)
Collocations
a grower not a shower
|definite grower
|more of a grower
Themes
sexuality
|body
|health
Examples
- He joked that he was a grower, not a shower.
- People use the word "grower" informally to describe a penis that changes a lot in size when erect.
- The expression usually compares a grower with a "shower" in casual talk about body image.
- In online forums, some men say they prefer being a grower rather than a shower.
Learner examples
- The phrase "a grower, not a shower" talks about the size of a penis.
- He called himself a grower when he made a sex joke.
- "Grower" is a vulgar word about how a penis changes size.
- People use "grower" in informal talk about men’s bodies.
Grammar
Dictionary form
grower
IPA
GB/ɡɹˈoʊɚ/
US/ɡɹˈoʊɚ/
Syllables & stress
grow - er (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (grow)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: grower
- Plural: growers
Word family
Expressions
a grower, not a shower
1/ə ɡɹˈoʊɚ | nˈɑt ə ʃˈaʊɚ/
idiom
vulgar
penis small soft, larger erect
(Vulgar) A joking way to say that a man’s penis looks small when soft but becomes much bigger when it is hard.
Examples
- He laughed and said he was "a grower, not a shower" when his friends teased him.
- The phrase "a grower, not a shower" is common in informal talk about men’s bodies.
- Some people use "a grower, not a shower" to explain why they are not worried about size when soft.
be a grower
1/bˈi ə ɡɹˈoʊɚ/
idiom
informal
become more likable with time
If something is a grower, you like it more after you see, hear, or try it several times.
Examples
- The movie is a grower; it seems simple at first but stays in your mind.
- Her new single is a grower—you enjoy it more with each listen.
- The taste of black coffee can be a grower for many people.