What does outgrown mean?
Outgrown means to have grown beyond something, with the consequence that the earlier size, stage, limitation, or role no longer fits. People may have outgrown a habit, childhood interests, a uniform, or the expectations of a particular position, while a business, team, or product may outgrow its original market or reputation. The word is also used in comparisons to indicate that one person or thing has become larger, more capable, or more successful than another. Although it normally implies that the earlier condition once applied, it often carries a mildly humorous or affectionate tone when describing children outgrowing clothes, toys, or behavior. As the past tense and past participle of outgrow, it commonly appears in statements about development: a person has outgrown a phase, an organization has outgrown its premises, or a product has outgrown its initial purpose.
verbTo grow larger or more mature than something, leaving it behind. It can also mean to become too large or mature for a particular place, activity, or limitation.
- To become physically larger or older than someone or something, thereby surpassing or surpassing them.
- To become too large for a space, garment, or other physical limit.
- To develop beyond a habit, interest, stage of life, or role, losing interest in it or no longer needing it.
"The children quickly outgrew the little playroom in the back of the house."
"The younger team has already outgrown its reputation as a promising newcomer."
"By adolescence, he had outgrown the nickname his parents had given him."
Outgrown captures the moment when growth makes an old size, habit, stage, or role feel surprisingly small.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does outgrown come from?
Outgrown is formed from the prefix out- and the verb grow, both of which are of Germanic origin. The prefix out- has long expressed movement or completion beyond a boundary, while grow developed through Old English and is related to words such as grew and growth. The combination outgrow has long conveyed surpassing something through growth, and outgrown is its standard past tense and past participle.
Related word forms
How outgrown is actually used
Outgrown is the past tense and past participle of outgrow. It is common in both formal and informal English and can describe physical growth, development, changing interests, or increasing size.
Easily confused with outgrown
Outgrown describes something left behind through growth or development, whereas overgrown describes something covered or excessive because it has grown too much.