Burgeon
/ˈbɜrdʒən/
verbB2
Definition
To burgeon means to start growing or increasing quickly and strongly. It can be used for plants that grow fast, businesses that expand, or ideas that spread rapidly. It shows a strong and healthy growth.
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See It in Action
To grow or increase quickly
- •The city's population has begun to burgeon in recent years.
- •Her business started to burgeon after the new product launch.
- •Ideas about renewable energy are burgeoning around the world.
To flourish or thrive rapidly
- •The garden burgeoned with colorful flowers after the rain.
- •Technology companies burgeon in areas with good internet access.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "burgeon" like "grow," but much faster and more powerful—like a small plant suddenly becoming big and full of leaves
- ✓Picture a tiny seed sprouting and quickly turning into a green bush full of flowers in just a few days
- ✓It's the feeling of excitement when something new and good starts to happen and get bigger quickly
- ✓Sounds like "BURJ-un" → imagine a "burger" growing bigger and bigger on a plate until it fills the whole table
- ✓Think of springtime when trees and flowers burgeon after winter—they suddenly become full of life
- ✓NOT like "grow" (slow and steady), "burgeon" is fast and strong growth
- ✓NOT like "expand" (can be slow or careful), "burgeon" means a quick, energetic increase
- ✓NOT like "develop" (general progress), "burgeon" focuses on fast and strong growth
Try Other Words
- •Expand: to get bigger or increase in size (Use when growth is steady or planned)
- •Flourish: to grow well and be healthy (Use when focusing on success and good condition)
- •Multiply: to increase in number quickly (Use when talking about numbers or amounts increasing fast)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no clear prefix or suffix, root word "burgeon")
- •Etymology: From Old French "bourgeonner," meaning "to bud or sprout"
- •Historical development: Originally used for plants starting to grow buds in the 15th century
- •Modern usage: Used for rapid growth or increase in many contexts, including plants, business, and ideas
- •Interesting fact: The word connects to nature’s quick growth, like buds turning into flowers
Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of a time when something in your life burgeoned quickly? What was it?
•How does the idea of burgeoning help us understand changes in cities or technology?
Fill in the blanks
1.After the rain, the garden began to burgeon ___ colorful flowers and green leaves.
2.When a new idea starts to burgeon, it usually spreads ___ and gains many supporters.
3.Unlike slow growth, to burgeon means to increase ___ and powerfully.
4.The company's profits burgeon ___ after they launched their popular product.
5.A city can burgeon ___ when many people move there quickly.
6.If something only grows a little, you would not say it is ___.
7.Technology trends often burgeon ___ during times of innovation and investment.