overgrow

verb

over·​grow ˌō-vər-ˈgrō 

overgrew ˌō-vər-ˈgrü  ; overgrown ˌō-vər-ˈgrōn  ; overgrowing

transitive verb

1

: to grow over so as to cover with herbage

2

: to grow beyond or rise above : outgrow

intransitive verb

1

: to grow excessively

2

: to become grown over

overgrowth

ˈō-vər-ˌgrōth 

noun

Examples of overgrow in a Sentence

The weeds have overgrown the garden.

Recent Examples on the Web

Wildland’s mission is ambitious: a long-view goal to rewild lands altered by deforestation, and overgrown with invasive species, with native regenerative tree species. —Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Jan. 2026

The animals all had skin, dental and eye conditions that required treatment, and their nails were overgrown. —Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Dec. 2025

This time the aesthetic shock came not from the elegance—the grass was overgrown, the lawn covered by leaves—but from the luxury of space. —Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 17 Dec. 2025

The hulking remains of ARC monstrosities sit amongst the ruins of our world, now peaceful and overgrown with nature. —Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 10 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

overgrow

verb

over·​grow ˌō-vər-ˈgrō 

overgrew -ˈgrü  ; overgrown -ˈgrōn  ; overgrowing

1

: to grow over so as to cover

2

: outgrow

3

: to grow too big

an overgrown puppy

4

: to become grown over

overgrowth

ˈō-vər-ˌgrōth 

noun

Medical Definition

overgrow

intransitive verb

over·​grow ˌō-vər-ˈgrō 

overgrew -ˈgrü  ; overgrown -ˈgrōn  ; overgrowing

: to grow or increase beyond the normal or natural size or numbers

when a scar overgrows into a keloid

—Morris Fishbein