Grow vs. Build — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 1, 2024
"Grow" typically refers to natural or organic development, often used in biological contexts, while "build" implies constructing or assembling through deliberate human effort, often in manufacturing or construction.
Difference Between Grow and Build
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Growing is an organic process that suggests increase or development in a biological or metaphorical sense, like plants growing or someone growing emotionally. In contrast, building involves assembling components or creating structures, emphasizing planned, manual, or mechanical effort.
In agriculture, we talk about growing crops or livestock, where the focus is on nurturing and natural expansion. On the other hand, building is used in contexts like construction or software development, where components are methodically put together to form a complete entity.
The term "grow" also implies a gradual and continuous process, such as growing a business or personal growth. Whereas, to build something, like a business or reputation, typically involves a series of steps and stages, each contributing to the structure or framework.
Economically, regions might grow in terms of GDP or population, indicating a natural or organic increase. Conversely, building the economy usually involves deliberate policies, investments, and infrastructure projects to enhance capacity or efficiency.
Environmentally, the concept of growth is often associated with sustainability and ecological balance, focusing on renewable resources and natural cycles. Building, however, can imply construction activities that may or may not adhere to sustainable practices, depending on the methods and materials used.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To increase in size or mature naturally.
To construct or assemble through human effort.
Contexts
Biological, personal development, organic increase.
Construction, assembling parts, infrastructure.
Process
Gradual and continuous.
Stepwise and structured.
Economic Implication
Organic increase, like GDP growth.
Deliberate efforts, like infrastructure projects.
Environmental Focus
Associated with natural cycles and sustainability.
Often involves construction, varies in sustainability.
Compare with Definitions
Grow
Increase in size or number through natural processes.
The plant grows rapidly in the spring.
Build
Construct by putting parts or materials together.
They build new homes every year.
Grow
Cultivate or raise under conditions you can control.
They grow organic vegetables in their garden.
Build
Develop a complex system or organization.
She helped build the company from the ground up.
Grow
Expand or develop something over time.
They plan to grow the business internationally.
Build
Form by assembling individuals or ideas.
They aim to build a team of dedicated professionals.
Grow
Allow something to develop or increase.
She let her savings grow by investing wisely.
Build
Increase or strengthen over time.
He builds his endurance through rigorous training.
Grow
Become mature or evolve emotionally or intellectually.
He grew wiser over the years.
Build
Use as a basis for further development.
The author builds each chapter on historical facts.
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
Build
To form by combining materials or parts; construct.
Grow
Become larger or greater over a period of time; increase
Turnover grew to more than $100,000 within three years
Build
To order, finance, or supervise the construction of
The administration built several new housing projects.
Grow
Become gradually or increasingly
Sharing our experiences we grew braver
Build
To develop or give form to according to a plan or process; create
Build a nation.
Built a successful business out of their corner grocery store.
Grow
To increase in size by a natural process.
Build
To increase or strengthen by adding gradually to
Money building interest in a savings account.
Build support for a political candidate.
Grow
To expand; gain
The business grew under new owners.
Build
To establish a basis for; found or ground
Build an argument on fact.
Grow
To increase in amount or degree; intensify
The suspense grew.
Build
To make something by combining materials or parts.
Grow
To develop and reach maturity.
Build
To engage in the construction or design of buildings
"Each of the three architects built in a different style" (Dwight Macdonald).
Grow
To be capable of growth; thrive
A plant that grows in shade.
Build
To develop in magnitude or extent
Clouds building on the horizon.
Grow
To become attached by or as if by the process of growth
Tree trunks that had grown together.
Build
To progress toward a maximum, as of intensity
Suspense building from the opening scene to the climax.
Grow
To come into existence from a source; spring up
Love that grew from friendship.
Build
The physical makeup of a person or thing, especially one's physique
An athletic build.
Grow
To come to be by a gradual process or by degrees; become
Grow angry.
Grow closer.
Build
(Computers) Any of various versions of a software product as it is being developed for release to users.
Grow
To cause to grow; raise
Grow tulips.
Build
(transitive) To form (something) by combining materials or parts.
Grow
To allow (something) to develop or increase by a natural process
Grow a beard.
Build
(transitive) To develop or give form to (something) according to a plan or process.
Grow
Usage Problem To cause to increase or expand by concerted effort
Strategies that grew the family business.
Build
(transitive) To increase or strengthen (something) by adding gradually to.
Grow
(ergative) To become larger, to increase in magnitude.
Children grow quickly.
Build
(transitive) To establish a basis for (something).
Grow
To undergo growth; to be present somewhere
Apples now grow all over the world.
Build
(intransitive) To form by combining materials or parts.
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.
Build
(intransitive) To develop in magnitude or extent.
Grow
(intransitive) To develop, to mature.
As I grew throughout adolescence, I came to appreciate many things about human nature.
Build
To construct (software) by compiling its source code.
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?
Build
To be converted into software by compilation, usually with minimal human intervention.
This code won’t build any more. Have you made any changes?
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.
Build
The physique of a human or animal body, or other object; constitution or structure.
Rugby players are of sturdy build.
Grow
To become attached or fixed; to adhere.
Build
Any of various versions of a software product as it is being developed for release to users.
The computer company has introduced a new prototype build to beta testers.
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.
Build
A structure, such as a building, statue, pool or forest, or a configuration of a character's items or skills, created by the player.
I made a build that looked like the Parthenon in that game.
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.
Build
To erect or construct, as an edifice or fabric of any kind; to form by uniting materials into a regular structure; to fabricate; to make; to raise.
Nor aught availed him nowTo have built in heaven high towers.
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.
Build
To raise or place on a foundation; to form, establish, or produce by using appropriate means.
Who builds his hopes in air of your good looks.
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.
Build
To increase and strengthen; to increase the power and stability of; to settle, or establish, and preserve; - frequently with up; as, to build up one's constitution.
I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up.
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.
Build
To exercise the art, or practice the business, of building.
Grow
To cause to grow; to cultivate; to produce; as, to grow a crop; to grow wheat, hops, or tobacco.
Build
To rest or depend, as on a foundation; to ground one's self or one's hopes or opinions upon something deemed reliable; to rely; as, to build on the opinions or advice of others.
Grow
Pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become;
The weather turned nasty
She grew angry
Build
Form or mode of construction; general figure; make; as, the build of a ship; a great build on a man.
Grow
Become larger, greater, or bigger; expand or gain;
The problem grew too large for me
Her business grew fast
Build
Constitution of the human body
Grow
Increase in size by natural process;
Corn doesn't grow here
In these forests, mushrooms grow under the trees
Build
Alternative names for the body of a human being;
Leonardo studied the human body
He has a strong physique
The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak
Grow
Cause to grow or develop;
He grows vegetables in his backyard
Build
Make by combining materials and parts;
This little pig made his house out of straw
Some eccentric constructed an electric brassiere warmer
Grow
Develop and reach maturity; undergo maturation;
He matured fast
The child grew fast
Build
Form or accumulate steadily;
Resistance to the manager's plan built up quickly
Pressure is building up at the Indian-Pakistani border
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
Build
Build or establish something abstract;
Build a reputation
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
Build
Improve the cleansing action of;
Build detergents
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
Build
Order, supervise, or finance the construction of;
The government is building new schools in this state
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
Build
Give form to, according to a plan;
Build a modern nation
Build a million-dollar business
Grow
Become attached by or as if by the process of growth;
The tree trunks had grown together
Build
Be engaged in building;
These architects build in interesting and new styles
Build
Found or ground;
Build a defense on nothing but the accused person's reputation
Build
Bolster or strengthen;
We worked up courage
Build up confidence
Ramp up security in the airports
Build
Develop and grow;
Suspense was building right from the beginning of the opera
Common Curiosities
Can both terms be used in business contexts?
Yes, businesses can both grow (expand naturally) and be built (structured deliberately).
Is "grow" ever used in a technical context?
Yes, "grow" can be used technically, like in "growing crystals" in a lab, where conditions are controlled for natural processes.
Which term is more applicable to personal development?
"Grow" is more commonly associated with personal development, implying natural and continuous improvement.
What is the primary distinction between grow and build?
"Grow" implies natural or organic development, while "build" refers to constructing or assembling through deliberate effort.
How do the terms relate to environmental sustainability?
"Grow" often relates to sustainable practices and natural cycles, whereas "build" can vary, with a focus on construction and development, sometimes requiring sustainable methods.
How do the terms apply to relationships?
You can grow a relationship, which implies naturally developing emotional or social bonds over time. Building a relationship, on the other hand, suggests intentionally creating or strengthening these connections through effort and actions.
Are there contexts where both terms can be used interchangeably?
While there are nuanced differences, in some business or personal development contexts, "grow" and "build" can sometimes be used interchangeably when referring to gradual improvement or expansion.
What does it mean to build in an economic sense?
Economically, to build means to boost or establish economic structures or systems, such as building a market or building up an industry, often through investment and strategic planning.
What roles do these terms play in community development?
In community development, "grow" might refer to the organic increase in community engagement or cohesion, whereas "build" could involve constructing community facilities or intentionally developing programs.
Can "grow" and "build" apply to physical fitness?
Yes, in fitness, "grow" can refer to the natural increase in muscle size or stamina, often through consistent exercise, while "build" suggests a more structured approach to enhancing physical strength or body composition.
What implications do these terms have in healthcare?
In healthcare, "grow" might be used to describe the increase in healthcare services or the spread of health awareness, while "build" could relate to constructing healthcare facilities or developing medical technologies.
Which term is typically used in technology, like software?
In technology, particularly software, "build" is commonly used to refer to the process of compiling software from code into a runnable state, while "grow" could be used metaphorically to describe increasing user base or functionality over time.
What is the environmental impact of using these terms?
"Grow" typically implies more environmentally friendly or sustainable processes, like growing a forest, while "build" might have a varied impact, depending on how resources are managed and construction is undertaken.
How do "grow" and "build" differ in educational contexts?
In education, "grow" might refer to the natural development of skills or knowledge, while "build" could imply systematically constructing a curriculum or educational framework.
How do the terms influence leadership styles?
In leadership, "grow" might refer to the development of leadership qualities naturally over time, whereas "build" suggests actively constructing a leadership strategy or framework.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
