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

The caveat is to plant densely by choosing plants that match your site’s conditions and won’t overgrow their welcome. —Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Apr. 2026

Researchers speculate that people may have brought the rodent to California as a natural remedy to battle overgrowing vegetation or simply because of a liking for the species. —Samantha Lee, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026

Over time, the outside area became filled with detritus, including pieces of ruins, and overgrown with weeds. —ABC News, 17 Mar. 2026

Is your plant overgrown and in need of significant rejuvenation? —Maureen McCulloch, USA Today, 11 Mar. 2026

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