WordGarden.iooutgrow
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /aʊtɡrˈəʊ/
US
- /ˌaʊtˈɡroʊ/
Meanings
Verb
to become too large, old, or mature for something
to leave behind a habit, belief, or need as one matures
Beyond the definition
Imagine a child quickly outgrowing their favorite shoes: they were perfect last month, but now they're too small. That's the basic idea of "outgrow." It means to grow beyond something, whether it's a physical object like clothes or something less physical like a habit or a stage of life. You might outgrow a childish game, a friendship as you change, or even a limiting belief about yourself. Sometimes it's a happy thing, like leaving old fears behind. Other times it can feel bittersweet, like realizing a place you once loved no longer fits who you are.
To "outgrow" something means to become too big for it, to surpass it in growth or development, or to move past it as your needs and interests change. It's often used literally when talking about physical things: a baby outgrows their crib, or a plant outgrows its pot. However, "outgrow" has a rich metaphorical meaning as well.
We can outgrow habits that no longer serve us: "She finally outgrew her habit of biting her nails." We can outgrow relationships as people change and drift apart: "They had been close friends, but eventually they outgrew each other." You might even outgrow a particular way of thinking or feeling. "He's outgrown his childish fears," suggests he has become more mature and confident.
The key to understanding "outgrow" is that it implies progress and change. It isn't simply about leaving something behind; it's about growing beyond it and evolving into something new. It often carries a sense of inevitability—the idea that things naturally get left behind as we mature. Whether you're talking about shoes, habits, relationships, or beliefs—if something is being surpassed by your growth and development, you are outgrowing it.
Examples
- 1
Clothing
My son outgrew his shoes in less than three months.
- 2
Plant care
The tomato plant has outgrown its pot, so we need to move it outside.
- 3
Childhood habits
Most kids outgrow the habit of sucking their thumb.
- 4
Fears
She used to be scared of dogs, but she outgrew that fear.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Office space
As the startup grew, it quickly outgrew its tiny office.
- 6
Software needs
Our team has outgrown the free version of the software.
- 7
Hometown
He felt he had outgrown the small town where he grew up.
- 8
Friendships
Sometimes people outgrow old friendships without anyone doing anything wrong.
See also
Similar
- grow out of
- move beyond
- leave behind
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- grow into
- remain suited to
Used with (collocations)
- outgrow clothes
- outgrow a habit
- outgrow a phase
- outgrow one's surroundings
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
5 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- outgrowverb
Forms
- outgrownpast participleverb
- outgrewpast tenseverb
- outgrowing-ing formverb
- outgrowsverb