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Webster 1913 Edition


Outgrow

Out-grow′

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp.
Outgrew
;
p. p.
Outgrown
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Outgrowing
.]
1.
To surpass in growing; to grow more than.
Shak.
2.
To grow out of or away from; to grow too large, or too aged, for;
as, to
outgrow
clothing; to
outgrow
usefulness; to
outgrow
an infirmity.

Webster 1828 Edition


Outgrow

OUTGROW

, v.t.
1.
To surpass in growth.
2.
To grow too great or too old for any thing. Children outgrow their garments, and men outgrow their usefulness.

Definition 2024


outgrow

outgrow

English

Verb

outgrow (third-person singular simple present outgrows, present participle outgrowing, simple past outgrew, past participle outgrown)

  1. (transitive) To become too big in size or too mature in age or outlook to continue to want, need, use, experience, or accept some object, practice, condition, belief, etc.
    Poor boys often have to wear whatever a big brother has outgrown.
    I used to have allergies but I outgrew all of them.
    Some people blame God for their troubles, but one must outgrow such notions.
  2. (transitive) To grow faster or larger than something or someone else.
    The best adapted plant varieties tend to outgrow those less adapted.

Derived terms

Translations

References

  • outgrow in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
  • outgrow in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913