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overgrow

[oh-ver-groh, oh-ver-groh]
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verb (used with object), o·ver·grew, o·ver·grown, o·ver·grow·ing.
  1. to grow over; cover with a growth of something.
  2. to grow beyond, grow too large for, or outgrow.
  3. to outdo in growing; choke or supplant by a more exuberant growth.
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verb (used without object), o·ver·grew, o·ver·grown, o·ver·grow·ing.
  1. to grow to excess; grow too large: When the vegetable overgrows, it tends to be woody.
  2. to become grown over, as with weeds: An untended garden will quickly overgrow.
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Origin of overgrow

First recorded in 1300–50, overgrow is from the Middle English word overgrowen. See over-, grow
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for overgrow

Historical Examples

  • It is to be feared that this new Madrid will overgrow all that is left of the old city.

    Things seen in Spain

    C. Gasquoine Hartley

  • The trees do not come in bearing early, and are not suitable for dwarfing as they overgrow the quince stock.

  • Genius grafted on womanhood is like to overgrow it and break its stem.

  • They overgrow the dwarf stocks very strongly and thus do not have a very firm hold on the ground.

  • How had this subterranean vegetation contrived to pierce and overgrow the summit of the country?

British Dictionary definitions for overgrow

overgrow

verb -grows, -growing, -grew or -grown
  1. (tr) to grow over or across (an area, path, lawn, etc)
  2. (tr) to choke or supplant by a stronger growth
  3. (tr) to grow too large for
  4. (intr) to grow beyond normal size
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Derived Formsovergrowth, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012