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 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
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.
Press on nails have outgrown their reputation as a last-minute fix. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 26 June 2026 Although Continental outgrew Enid more than a decade ago, pumpjacks pulling up oil still seesaw up and down near town. — Nick Bowlin, ProPublica, 30 June 2026 Local officials fear that Neil is the latest wild animal whose social media stardom has outgrown what’s good for him. — ABC News, 3 July 2026 One of the best turns in Blue Roses comes when Ciba allows the argument to outgrow Williams himself. — Literary Hub, 26 June 2026 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

Rhymes for outgrow

See All Rhymes for outgrow

Browse Nearby Words

out-group
outgrow
outgrowth
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Outgrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outgrow. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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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

Nglish: Translation of outgrow for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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