outgrow

verb

out·​grow ˌau̇t-ˈgrō How to pronounce outgrow (audio)
outgrew ˌau̇t-ˈgrü How to pronounce outgrow (audio) ; outgrown ˌau̇t-ˈgrōn How to pronounce outgrow (audio) ; outgrowing

transitive verb

1
: to grow or increase faster than
mankind is outgrowing food suppliesR. C. Murphy
2
: to grow too large or too mature for
outgrew his best suit
the need to outgrow the habit of warNorman Cousins

Examples of outgrow in a Sentence

Kids outgrow their clothes so quickly. The plant has outgrown my garden. Our business is outgrowing its small office building. She's outgrown most of her toys. I realized that I had outgrown my old high school friends.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Their resources, influence, and challenges have outgrown the outdated, one-size-fits-all NCAA governance model. Jim Martin, Denver Post, 13 Aug. 2025 Casa de Español’s numbers quickly swelled, and the school outgrew its humble beginnings. Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 9 Aug. 2025 The proposed train, the lawmakers argue, is necessary as Texas is poised to outgrow its existing transportation infrastructure in the most densely populated areas of the state. Alex Driggars, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025 The absence of these performances among the nominations reeks of a snobbishness that the Academy should have long outgrown. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 23 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for outgrow

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of outgrow was in 1597

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Outgrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outgrow. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

outgrow

verb
out·​grow (ˈ)au̇t-ˈgrō How to pronounce outgrow (audio)
outgrew -ˈgrü How to pronounce outgrow (audio) ; outgrown -ˈgrōn How to pronounce outgrow (audio) ; outgrowing
1
: to grow faster than
2
: to grow too large or too mature for
outgrew their clothes
outgrow playing with dolls

More from Merriam-Webster on outgrow

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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