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
Repot plants that have outgrown their containers; divide if needed.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
When the cutting outgrows its pot, transfer to a larger container or plant outside.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
Cloud Next, which has long outgrown San Francisco’s Moscone Center, will be a moment for the company to mark its progress in the cloud wars, a competition where it was once left for dead.
—Alex Kantrowitz, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
The backstory Travelers who have long outgrown the South Beach scene (or at least don’t want to be sleeping just a few feet above late-night revelry along Ocean Drive) have gravitated a handful of blocks north in pursuit and discovery of Faena over the past few years.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for outgrow
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Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
When the cutting outgrows its pot, transfer to a larger container or plant outside.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
Cloud Next, which has long outgrown San Francisco’s Moscone Center, will be a moment for the company to mark its progress in the cloud wars, a competition where it was once left for dead.
—Alex Kantrowitz, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
The backstory Travelers who have long outgrown the South Beach scene (or at least don’t want to be sleeping just a few feet above late-night revelry along Ocean Drive) have gravitated a handful of blocks north in pursuit and discovery of Faena over the past few years.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for outgrow
Cite this Entry
“Outgrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outgrow. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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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