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.
Extremely small pillows aren’t a good idea, though, because your child will outgrow them quickly. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 His store in Elk Grove — which sells handbags, Rolex watches and jewelry — has outgrown its space. — Annika Merrilees, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Cameras turn into community Coffee and Cameras gradually outgrew that original model. — Kansas City Star, 24 Aug. 2026 In the 1980s, there were fears that the Open, which quickly outgrew the Singer Bowl (renamed the Louis Armstrong Stadium), would leave the city. — Ben Ryder Howe, Curbed, 21 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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