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
The expansions aim to address an ever-growing student body that has outgrown a campus spread among several buildings throughout Nampa and Boise.
—Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 10 Apr. 2024
The diocese recently unveiled plans to build a new cathedral after outgrowing the 85-year-old St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte’s Dilworth neighborhood.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2024
Next is the Junior track, suitable for drivers who have outgrown Mini Mario but aren't tall enough for intermediate races.
—The Arizona Republic, 15 Mar. 2024
Mayor John Lindsay said then that the police had outgrown their former hub on Centre Street, and the new building would give them more room.
—Chelsia Rose Marcius Lanna Apisukh, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2024
This is why largemouths in southern fisheries outgrow their counterparts in the North, outpacing bass of the same age by a pound or more of growth each year.
—Shaye Baker, Field & Stream, 28 Mar. 2024
What initially began in the living room of a Co-Founder quickly outgrew the couches and chairs, evolving into a private annual conference.
—Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2024
Cristina outgrew Grey Sloan and needed something new, especially after breaking up with Owen (for good this time).
—TIME, 14 Mar. 2024
As early as the eighteen-thirties, the collection had outgrown the Patent Office’s cramped headquarters at the former Blodgett’s Hotel.
—Nicola Twilley, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2024
Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 10 Apr. 2024
The diocese recently unveiled plans to build a new cathedral after outgrowing the 85-year-old St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte’s Dilworth neighborhood.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2024
Next is the Junior track, suitable for drivers who have outgrown Mini Mario but aren't tall enough for intermediate races.
—The Arizona Republic, 15 Mar. 2024
Mayor John Lindsay said then that the police had outgrown their former hub on Centre Street, and the new building would give them more room.
—Chelsia Rose Marcius Lanna Apisukh, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2024
This is why largemouths in southern fisheries outgrow their counterparts in the North, outpacing bass of the same age by a pound or more of growth each year.
—Shaye Baker, Field & Stream, 28 Mar. 2024
What initially began in the living room of a Co-Founder quickly outgrew the couches and chairs, evolving into a private annual conference.
—Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2024
Cristina outgrew Grey Sloan and needed something new, especially after breaking up with Owen (for good this time).
—TIME, 14 Mar. 2024
As early as the eighteen-thirties, the collection had outgrown the Patent Office’s cramped headquarters at the former Blodgett’s Hotel.
—Nicola Twilley, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'outgrow.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near outgrow
Cite this Entry
“Outgrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outgrow. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share