outgrow
verb
out·grow
ˌau̇t-ˈgrō 
outgrew
ˌau̇t-ˈgrü
; outgrown
ˌau̇t-ˈgrōn
; outgrowing
; outgrown
ˌau̇t-ˈgrōn
; outgrowing
1
: to grow or increase faster than
mankind is outgrowing food supplies—
R. C. Murphy
R. C. Murphy2
: to grow too large or too mature for
outgrew his best suit
the need to outgrow the habit of war—Norman Cousins
Norman CousinsExamples 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
But Preller, rewarding ownership’s faith, outgrew his Dennis the Menace phase.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Aug. 2025
In 2024, the evergreen that was selected had outgrown its yard in Vadnais Heights.
—Molly Guthrey, Twin Cities, 30 July 2025
A number of the bedrooms are evidently in the attic, occupied by gangly young men—all knees—who have outgrown their containers.
—Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 26 July 2025
It's believed slaves attended services and sat in a balcony.
1856: The white congregation outgrew the chapel and had a larger church built one block south on East Main Street.
—Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for outgrow
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Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Aug. 2025
In 2024, the evergreen that was selected had outgrown its yard in Vadnais Heights.
—Molly Guthrey, Twin Cities, 30 July 2025
A number of the bedrooms are evidently in the attic, occupied by gangly young men—all knees—who have outgrown their containers.
—Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 26 July 2025
It's believed slaves attended services and sat in a balcony.
1856: The white congregation outgrew the chapel and had a larger church built one block south on East Main Street.
—Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for outgrow
Cite this Entry
“Outgrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outgrow. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
outgrow
verb
out·grow
(ˈ)au̇t-ˈgrō
1
: to grow faster than
2
: to grow too large or too mature for
outgrew their clothes
outgrow playing with dolls
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