outgrow

verb

out·​grow ˌau̇t-ˈgrō How to pronounce outgrow (audio)
outgrew ˌau̇t-ˈgrü How to pronounce outgrow (audio) ; outgrown ˌau̇t-ˈgrōn How to pronounce outgrow (audio) ; outgrowing

transitive verb

1
: to grow or increase faster than
mankind is outgrowing food suppliesR. C. Murphy
2
: to grow too large or too mature for
outgrew his best suit
the need to outgrow the habit of warNorman 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Operating out of their home’s basement, Marlin quickly outgrew the space and bought a business downtown. Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025 But the vibe is definitely appealing to people in their 30s and 40s who might have outgrown the club scene but are still looking for a night on the town with friends. Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, 3 Feb. 2025 Greenpoint Landing — the name for a 22-acre strip of land the city designated for residential and retail projects — has drawn interest from renters who have outgrown nearby Williamsburg and from professionals who want unobstructed views of the Manhattan skyline. Victoria M. Walker, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025 Alternatively, Memphis, Tennessee, dropped 30 spots because the number of new homes being built is outgrowing job growth. Addy Bink, The Hill, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for outgrow 

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of outgrow was in 1597

Dictionary Entries Near outgrow

Cite this Entry

“Outgrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outgrow. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

outgrow

verb
out·​grow (ˈ)au̇t-ˈgrō How to pronounce outgrow (audio)
outgrew -ˈgrü How to pronounce outgrow (audio) ; outgrown -ˈgrōn How to pronounce outgrow (audio) ; outgrowing
1
: to grow faster than
2
: to grow too large or too mature for
outgrew their clothes
outgrow playing with dolls

More from Merriam-Webster on outgrow

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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