outgrow

[ out-groh ]

verb (used with object)

, out·grew, out·grown, out·grow·ing.

1. to grow too large for:

   to outgrow one's clothes.

2. to leave behind or lose in the changes incident to development or the passage of time:

   She outgrew her fear of the dark.

3. to surpass in growing:

   watching one child outgrow another.

verb (used without object)

, out·grew, out·grown, out·grow·ing.

1. Archaic. to grow out; burst forth; protrude.

outgrow

/ ˌaʊtˈɡrəʊ /

verb

1. to grow too large for (clothes, shoes, etc)
2. to lose (a habit, idea, reputation, etc) in the course of development or time
3. to grow larger or faster than

Word History and Origins

Origin of outgrow¹

First recorded in 1585–95; out- + grow

Example Sentences

In order to achieve these goals, and outgrow old habits, a new method of workplace communication becomes necessary.

From Digiday

Comic-Con again is often put in that category of outgrowing our waterfront facility.

From Voice of San Diego

“As a teenager, I recognized that I hadn’t outgrown it,” Pisarra said.

From Washington Blade

Two decades later, I’m pleased to say that I’ve outgrown such folly.

From Outside Online

Rather, they feel more like a childhood friend I both love and have outgrown.

From Time

I would just say, musically, you just outgrow bands philosophically and politically.

From The Daily Beast

I like that, with the way things are now in pop culture, you never really outgrow superheroes.

From The Daily Beast

On some preconscious level, we never outgrow this expectation or fear about our omnipresent mothers.

From The Daily Beast

And the insertion of technology into clothes raises a host of potential problems: what if you outgrow the shirt?

From The Daily Beast

True, Jacob has to watch his temper so he doesn't hurt her when he shape-shifts into wolf form, but he'll soon outgrow that phase.

From The Daily Beast

America did not outgrow this need, and this benefit, in the later days of Washington and Lincoln.

From Project Gutenberg

The top thus appears to outgrow the root, and such trees are apt to blow over during wind storms.

From Project Gutenberg

He belongs to a class who for practical purposes never outgrow mental childhood.

From Project Gutenberg

Could she be wrong in her belief that, given enough time, Larry would outgrow his infatuation for Maggie?

From Project Gutenberg

With the absence of all excitement, with entire rest of mind and body, the child would outgrow the evil.

From Project Gutenberg