outgrow

verb

out·​grow ˌau̇t-ˈgrō 

outgrew ˌau̇t-ˈgrü  ; outgrown ˌau̇t-ˈgrōn  ; outgrowing

transitive verb

1

: to grow or increase faster than

… mankind is outgrowing food supplies.

—R. C. Murphy

2

: to grow too large or too mature for

outgrew his best suit

the need to outgrow the habit of war

—Norman Cousins

Examples 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

Modern vehicle fleets have largely outgrown the traditional data limits of older cars. — New Atlas, 2 Aug. 2026

Bloomers for $60; $88 for tees; and close to $200 for a dress made for a newborn who will likely outgrow it in a few weeks. — New York Times, 31 July 2026

At a time of rapid and uncertain change, humanity’s innate capacities to tap fresh opportunities and to innovate still challenge outgrown ideas of what’s possible for progress and prosperity. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 31 July 2026

Built in 1906, the church was deconsecrated in the 1950s after the congregation outgrew the space. — Pueng Vongs, Mercury News, 30 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for outgrow

• acknow
• aglow
• ago
• airglow
• aloe
• altho
• although
• ammo
• backflow
• backhoe
• banjo
• barbeau

Kids Definition

outgrow

verb

out·​grow (ˈ)au̇t-ˈgrō 

outgrew -ˈgrü  ; outgrown -ˈgrōn  ; outgrowing

1

: to grow faster than

2

: to grow too large or too mature for

outgrew their clothes

outgrow playing with dolls