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

Would Allen outgrow the typical mistakes a young quarterback commits? —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Jan. 2025

Salt Lake City is among them, but if it’s selected, Sundance will have barely any presence in Park City, having outgrown the small ski resort. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 22 Jan. 2025

Michigan State, Illinois, Oregon and Michigan, in particular, have outgrown their preseason profiles. —Joe Rexrode, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025

Repotting the chaste tree to a larger pot with fresh potting soil is necessary every 2 to 3 years when the shrub outgrows its container. —Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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