Glow vs. Grow — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 26, 2024
Glow refers to emitting light or warmth, often seen in terms of radiance or luminescence. Grow signifies increase in size, number, or strength, focusing on development and expansion.
Difference Between Glow and Grow
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Glow is typically associated with the emission of light or a soft radiance that doesn't necessarily change its source's size. It's often used metaphorically to describe a person's state of happiness or health. Whereas grow involves an increase in size, number, or strength, and is primarily used to indicate physical or developmental changes over time.
Glow can occur without a visible change in the physical dimensions of an object or person, emphasizing its aesthetic or emotional impact. It can refer to natural phenomena, like the glow of fireflies, or be used figuratively, such as someone glowing with pride. On the other hand, grow focuses on tangible changes, like a plant increasing in height or a business expanding its market reach.
While glow is more about a state or quality that can be temporary or permanent, grow implies a process or progression. The glow of an object might fade or intensify without affecting its underlying structure. Conversely, when something grows, it undergoes a transformation that is often measurable and directly impacts its structure or composition.
In terms of usage, "glow" is frequently found in discussions about light, beauty, health, and metaphorical expressions of well-being. This contrasts with "grow," which is common in contexts of personal development, agriculture, business, and any scenario involving expansion or increase.
Glow and grow also differ in their connotations. The former is often associated with positive feelings, beauty, and health, reflecting a state of being that is inherently good or desirable. Grow, while generally positive, focuses on the effort and process involved in reaching a larger state or capacity, highlighting a journey rather than a momentary condition.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Emitting light or warmth; a soft radiance.
Increase in size, number, or strength.
Context
Light, beauty, health, well-being.
Development, agriculture, business.
Nature
State or quality.
Process or progression.
Connotation
Positive, often aesthetic or emotional.
Positive, related to effort and change.
Usage Examples
Glowing skin, glowing reviews.
Growing plant, growing business.
Compare with Definitions
Glow
Emitting light softly.
The candle glow filled the room with warmth.
Grow
Increase in size.
The tree grows taller each year.
Glow
Reflecting light gently.
The city lights glow beautifully at night.
Grow
Develop or mature over time.
With experience, you will grow in your role.
Glow
Appearing radiant or exuding happiness.
The expectant mother seemed to glow.
Grow
Accumulate or increase.
Interest grows over time with savings.
Glow
Indicating a feeling of well-being.
He had a glow about him after the promotion.
Grow
Expand in scope or scale.
The company aims to grow its operations worldwide.
Glow
Radiating warmth or color.
Her cheeks had a healthy glow after the jog.
Grow
Cultivate or raise.
We grow vegetables in our backyard garden.
Glow
Give out steady light without flame
The tips of their cigarettes glowed in the dark
Grow
(of a living thing) undergo natural development by increasing in size and changing physically
He would watch Nick grow to manhood
Grown men don't act so stupidly
Glow
A steady radiance of light or heat
The setting sun cast a deep red glow over the city
Grow
Become larger or greater over a period of time; increase
Turnover grew to more than $100,000 within three years
Glow
To shine brightly and steadily, especially without a flame
Embers glowed in the furnace.
Grow
Become gradually or increasingly
Sharing our experiences we grew braver
Glow
To have a bright, warm, usually reddish color
The children's cheeks glowed from the cold.
Grow
To increase in size by a natural process.
Glow
To flush; blush.
Grow
To expand; gain
The business grew under new owners.
Glow
To be exuberant or radiant
Parents glowing with pride.
Grow
To increase in amount or degree; intensify
The suspense grew.
Glow
A light produced by a body heated to luminosity; incandescence.
Grow
To develop and reach maturity.
Glow
Brilliance or warmth of color, especially redness
"the evening glow of the city streets when the sun has gone behind the tallest houses" (Seán O'Faoláin).
Grow
To be capable of growth; thrive
A plant that grows in shade.
Glow
A sensation of physical warmth.
Grow
To become attached by or as if by the process of growth
Tree trunks that had grown together.
Glow
A warm feeling, as of pleasure or well-being.
Grow
To come into existence from a source; spring up
Love that grew from friendship.
Glow
To emit light as if heated.
The fire was still glowing after ten hours.
Grow
To come to be by a gradual process or by degrees; become
Grow angry.
Grow closer.
Glow
(copulative) To radiate thermal heat.
Iron glows red hot when heated to near its melting point.
After their workout, the gymnasts' faces were glowing red.
Grow
To cause to grow; raise
Grow tulips.
Glow
To display intense emotion.
The zealots glowed with religious fervor.
You are glowing from happiness!
Grow
To allow (something) to develop or increase by a natural process
Grow a beard.
Glow
To gaze especially passionately at something.
Grow
Usage Problem To cause to increase or expand by concerted effort
Strategies that grew the family business.
Glow
To shine brightly and steadily.
The new baby's room glows with bright, loving colors.
Grow
(ergative) To become larger, to increase in magnitude.
Children grow quickly.
Glow
(transitive) To make hot; to flush.
Grow
To undergo growth; to be present somewhere
Apples now grow all over the world.
Glow
(intransitive) To feel hot; to have a burning sensation, as of the skin, from friction, exercise, etc.; to burn.
Grow
(intransitive) To appear or sprout.
Leaf buds grew on the trees with the advance of spring.
A long tail began to grow from his backside.
Glow
To be related to or part of an (chiefly online) undercover sting operation, especially by American federal agencies.
Grow
(intransitive) To develop, to mature.
As I grew throughout adolescence, I came to appreciate many things about human nature.
Glow
To expose someone to the authorities.
Grow
(transitive) To cause or allow something to become bigger, especially to cultivate plants.
He grows peppers and squash each summer in his garden.
Have you ever grown your hair before?
Glow
To create a threatening online post that may involve violence, and look suspicious enough to attract a police investigation.
Grow
(copulative) To assume a condition or quality over time.
The boy grew wise as he matured.
The town grew smaller and smaller in the distance as we travelled.
You have grown strong.
Glow
The light given off by a glowing object.
Grow
To become attached or fixed; to adhere.
Glow
The condition of being passionate or having warm feelings.
Grow
To increase in size by a natural and organic process; to increase in bulk by the gradual assimilation of new matter into the living organism; - said of animals and vegetables and their organs.
Glow
The brilliance or warmth of color in an environment or on a person (especially one's face).
He had a bright red glow on his face.
Grow
To increase in any way; to become larger and stronger; to be augmented; to advance; to extend; to wax; to accrue.
Winter began to grow fast on.
Even just the sum that I do owe to youIs growing to me by Antipholus.
Glow
To shine with an intense or white heat; to give forth vivid light and heat; to be incandescent.
Glows in the stars, and blossoms in the trees.
Grow
To spring up and come to maturity in a natural way; to be produced by vegetation; to thrive; to flourish; as, rice grows in warm countries.
Where law faileth, error groweth.
Glow
To exhibit a strong, bright color; to be brilliant, as if with heat; to be bright or red with heat or animation, with blushes, etc.
Clad in a gown that glows with Tyrian rays.
And glow with shame of your proceedings.
Grow
To pass from one state to another; to result as an effect from a cause; to become; as, to grow pale.
For his mindHad grown Suspicion's sanctuary.
Glow
To feel hot; to have a burning sensation, as of the skin, from friction, exercise, etc.; to burn.
Did not his temples glowIn the same sultry winds and acrching heats?
The cord slides swiftly through his glowing hands.
Grow
To become attached or fixed; to adhere.
Our knees shall kneel till to the ground they grow.
These wars have grown out of commercial considerations.
Glow
To feel the heat of passion; to be animated, as by intense love, zeal, anger, etc.; to rage, as passior; as, the heart glows with love, zeal, or patriotism.
With pride it mounts, and with revenge it glows.
Burns with one love, with one resentment glows.
Grow
To cause to grow; to cultivate; to produce; as, to grow a crop; to grow wheat, hops, or tobacco.
Glow
To make hot; to flush.
Fans, whose wind did seemTo glow the delicate cheeks which they did cool.
Grow
Pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become;
The weather turned nasty
She grew angry
Glow
White or red heat; incandscence.
Grow
Become larger, greater, or bigger; expand or gain;
The problem grew too large for me
Her business grew fast
Glow
Brightness or warmth of color; redness; a rosy flush; as, the glow of health in the cheeks.
Grow
Increase in size by natural process;
Corn doesn't grow here
In these forests, mushrooms grow under the trees
Glow
Intense excitement or earnestness; vehemence or heat of passion; ardor.
The red glow of scorn.
Grow
Cause to grow or develop;
He grows vegetables in his backyard
Glow
Heat of body; a sensation of warmth, as that produced by exercise, etc.
Grow
Develop and reach maturity; undergo maturation;
He matured fast
The child grew fast
Glow
An alert and refreshed state
Grow
Come into existence; take on form or shape;
A new religious movement originated in that country
A love that sprang up from friendship
The idea for the book grew out of a short story
An interesting phenomenon uprose
Glow
Light from nonthermal sources
Grow
Cultivate by growing, often involving improvements by means of agricultural techniques;
The Bordeaux region produces great red wines
They produce good ham in Parma
We grow wheat here
We raise hogs here
Glow
The phenomenon of light emission by a body as its temperature is raised
Grow
Come to have or undergo a change of (physical features and attributes);
He grew a beard
The patient developed abdominal pains
I got funny spots all over my body
Well-developed breasts
Glow
A feeling of considerable warmth;
The glow of new love
A glow of regret
Grow
Grow emotionally or mature;
The child developed beautifully in her new kindergarten
When he spent a summer at camp, the boy grew noticeably and no longer showed some of his old adolescent behavior
Glow
A steady even light without flames
Grow
Become attached by or as if by the process of growth;
The tree trunks had grown together
Glow
The amount of electromagnetic radiation leaving or arriving at a point on a surface
Glow
An appearance of reflected light
Glow
Emit a steady even light without flames;
The fireflies were glowing and flying about in the garden
Glow
Especially of the complexion: show a strong bright color, such as red or pink;
Her face glowed when she came out of the sauna
Glow
Shine intensely, as if with heat;
The coals were glowing in the dark
The candles were burning
Glow
Be exuberant or high-spirited;
Make the people's hearts glow
Glow
Experience a feeling of well-being or happiness, as from good health or an intense emotion;
She was beaming with joy
Her face radiated with happiness
Common Curiosities
What does "glow" mean?
Glow refers to emitting light softly or appearing radiantly, often related to warmth, health, or happiness.
How do plants grow?
Plants grow through a combination of photosynthesis, water intake, and nutrient absorption from the soil.
What factors influence growth?
Growth can be influenced by genetics, environment, nutrition, and effort, among other factors.
Can businesses grow without increasing their physical size?
Yes, businesses can grow in terms of revenue, market share, or product range without expanding physically.
Can growth be negative?
While growth is generally seen as positive, in some contexts, like the growth of tumors, it can be negative.
Can objects glow without heat?
Yes, objects can glow without heat through processes like fluorescence, where they emit light absorbed from another source.
What does "grow" mean?
Grow means to increase in size, number, or strength, indicating physical, numerical, or developmental expansion.
Is glowing always related to physical light?
No, glowing can also be metaphorical, describing a state of health, happiness, or satisfaction.
Can glow be artificially created?
Yes, glow can be artificially created through lights, chemicals, or digital effects.
What is the significance of glowing in the dark?
Glowing in the dark, like bioluminescence, can serve purposes like attracting mates, deterring predators, or luring prey.
Is it possible to grow older without growing up?
Yes, growing older is a physical process of aging, whereas growing up involves maturing emotionally and mentally.
Can something glow and grow at the same time?
Yes, for example, a pregnant woman might glow due to happiness while her belly grows.
Is glow always positive?
Glow is generally positive, highlighting beauty, health, or well-being, but context can alter its connotation.
Do all living things grow?
All living things grow at different rates and stages of their life cycle, from microorganisms to humans.
How does personal growth differ from physical growth?
Personal growth involves developing skills, knowledge, and emotional maturity, whereas physical growth refers to changes in the body's size or strength.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
