overgrown

adjective

over·​grown ˌō-vər-ˈgrōn How to pronounce overgrown (audio)
: grown abnormally or excessively large
dismissed him as an overgrown adolescent

Examples of overgrown in a Sentence

The garden is overgrown with weeds. He acts like an overgrown child.
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.
Another possibility is that overgrown vegetation affected the grid, which, if true, should not have happened, said Josué Colón, the island’s energy czar and former executive director of Puerto Rico’s Electric Power Authority. Dánica Coto, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025 The owners of nine horses found with severely overgrown hooves and unsanitary conditions were just charged with neglect. Colson Thayer, People.com, 7 Apr. 2025 As time passed, sediment and debris began to build up as overgrown non-native plants greatly decreased the amount of water that could flow through the channel, causing water to disperse into nearby neighborhoods for more than 20 years. Sierra Lopez, The Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2025 Building inspectors issued more than 100 violations, citing overgrown weeds, structural problems and general neglect. Samantha Moilanen, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for overgrown

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overgrown was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overgrown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overgrown. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

overgrown

adjective
: grown unusually or too big
overgrown boys
overgrown cities

More from Merriam-Webster on overgrown

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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