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
When expectations need updating Fast-moving businesses often outgrow old job descriptions.
—Alain Hunkins, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
As the worms — or their roommates — outgrow the tubes or the tubes are damaged or eaten by predators, the worms can cut into the tubes and reshape or grow them with new material.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 June 2025
When your toddler has outgrown their sippy cup, this is a great mid-size replacement choice.
—Cheryl Fenton, Parents, 19 June 2025
Tingle says that has helped John Hancock, the US arm of Canada’s Manulife Financial, outgrow its industry almost every quarter for the past seven years.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for outgrow
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Alain Hunkins, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
As the worms — or their roommates — outgrow the tubes or the tubes are damaged or eaten by predators, the worms can cut into the tubes and reshape or grow them with new material.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 June 2025
When your toddler has outgrown their sippy cup, this is a great mid-size replacement choice.
—Cheryl Fenton, Parents, 19 June 2025
Tingle says that has helped John Hancock, the US arm of Canada’s Manulife Financial, outgrow its industry almost every quarter for the past seven years.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 6 June 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 4 Jul. 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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