outgrown
Definition
- Verb (past participle of ):
- To grow too large for: "outgrown" refers to having become physically too big for something, such as clothing or a space.
- To mature beyond: It also means to have developed or matured past a particular habit, interest, or phase.
Usage Examples
- (She has become too big for them.)
- (He matured and no longer has that fear.)
- (The business has expanded beyond the capacity of the space.)
Advanced Usage
"to be outgrown by someone": used passively to indicate that something is no longer suitable due to growth.
- The toys were outgrown by the children. (The children grew too old or big for the toys.)
"to outgrow one's environment": to evolve beyond the limitations of one's current situation.
- She felt she had outgrown her small hometown. (She believed she had matured or developed beyond what the town offered.)
Variants and Related Words
Outgrow (verb, base form): to grow too large for or mature beyond.
- Children quickly outgrow their shoes. (They become too big for them.)
Outgrowing (present participle): the process of becoming too large or mature for something.
- The outgrowing phase can be expensive for parents. (The period when children need new clothes frequently.)
Synonyms
- Grow beyond: to surpass in size or maturity.
- Surpass: to exceed or go beyond.
- Mature past: to develop beyond a certain stage.
Phrasal Verbs
- Outgrow (something): to no longer fit or need something due to growth.
- He outgrew his bicycle by age ten. (He became too tall or heavy for it.)
Related Idioms
Grow out of: to become too big or mature for something.
- She grew out of her baby clothes quickly. (She outgrew them.)
Leave behind: to abandon or stop using something as one matures.
- He left behind his childish habits. (He outgrew them.)