cresco
[ˈkreːs.koː]
The English phrase grow can be translated into Latin using cresco, adolesco or grandesco.
Meaning: (intransitive) to become bigger (verb)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA |
|---|---|
| cresco | [ˈkreːs.koː] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈkrɛs.ko] (narrow) |
| adolesco | [a.dɔˈɫeːs.koː] (Classical Latin, narrow) [a.doˈlɛs.ko] (narrow) |
| grandesco | [ɡranˈdeːs.koː] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ɡranˈdɛs.ko] (narrow) |
Which one should you use?
cresco is the standard verb used for general growth in size, amount or intensity. adolesco is used specifically for the growth of a person into adulthood or the maturation of something. grandesco emphasizes the process of becoming large or great in scale.
How does it change in a sentence?
The dictionary infinitive form of cresco is crescere.
Did you know?
- The Latin verb cresco is the direct ancestor of the English word 'crescent', describing the moon as it grows in size.
- The word adolesco is the root of the English word 'adolescent', which literally means the process of growing into adulthood.
- The root of cresco comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *ḱer-, which also potentially influenced the Proto-Slavic word *krěti meaning 'to intensify'.
Examples in context
- Puella lentē crescit.The girl grows slowly.
- Arbor altitūdinem crescere coepit.The tree began to grow in height.
- Numerus discipulōrum in scholā augēscit.The number of students in the school is growing.
- Exercitūs virtus cotīdiē augēscit.The strength of the army grows every day.
Example conversation
Lucius and Aurelia are talking about their heights.
- LuciusAurelia, videsne me crescere?Aurelia, do you see me growing?
- AureliaIta, Luci, et ego cresco.Yes, Lucius, I grow as well.
- LuciusQuis nostrum magis crescit?Who among us grows more?
- AureliaFortasse tu, amice.Perhaps you, friend.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “grow” translations and entries cresco, adolesco, grandesco, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries adolesco, cresco, grandesco, CC BY-SA 4.0.
