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
As chronicled by Fong’s pictures in the book, the fast-changing city quickly outgrew the once remarkable train station and it was sadly abandoned, before being rediscovered and rejuvenated years later as a world-class art museum.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Nov. 2025
While Robert approached Napa Valley Vintners, the trade association for the local wine industry, to kickstart and run the actual auction—which even in the planning stages had outgrown the home of Montandon and her husband Alfred Wilsey—Michael recalls that Lail did a lot of heavy lifting.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 16 Nov. 2025
The city’s inaugural year was so successful that the fair eventually outgrew the Miami Beach Convention Center, spilling over into what is now Miami Art Week.
—Staff Author, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2025
Cords for outdated devices, plastic storage containers with mismatched lids, and toys your kids have outgrown—all of these items take up valuable storage space and likely won’t be used again.
—Emily Williams, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for outgrow
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Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Nov. 2025
While Robert approached Napa Valley Vintners, the trade association for the local wine industry, to kickstart and run the actual auction—which even in the planning stages had outgrown the home of Montandon and her husband Alfred Wilsey—Michael recalls that Lail did a lot of heavy lifting.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 16 Nov. 2025
The city’s inaugural year was so successful that the fair eventually outgrew the Miami Beach Convention Center, spilling over into what is now Miami Art Week.
—Staff Author, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2025
Cords for outdated devices, plastic storage containers with mismatched lids, and toys your kids have outgrown—all of these items take up valuable storage space and likely won’t be used again.
—Emily Williams, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Nov. 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 30 Nov. 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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