outgrown

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "outgrown" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to denote that something has outpaced a person's mental, physical, or capacity to handle it. For example: "The job has outgrown him; he needs to find another line of work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He had scored 91 goals but also outgrown them.

The Guardian - Sport

There are many reasons you may want to try and delete yourself from the web from fake social media accounts and compromising photographs to long outgrown views.

The Guardian - Tech

According to an internal memo from Steve Ballmer, the software giant's chief executive, expenses have outgrown revenues for three years.

The Economist

However, the supporters of the repeal argue that it was really a first step towards modernising a system which had outgrown Glass-Steagall.

The Economist

Social-media sites let people rent out spare bedrooms, borrow tools and pass on outgrown children's clothes.

The Economist

Yet the park's stores and restaurants are still geared towards those who have not outgrown Winnie the Pooh.

The Economist

But the red-shirt movement, for all that it remains inchoate, has outgrown Mr Thaksin.This has turned into a revolution of rising expectations.

The Economist

The clever bits of GE's new Spanish plastics factory were designed by a multinational team of mainly Japanese and Dutch scientists.Mr Welch points out that his "boundaryless" company has long since outgrown the idea that "American" is best.

The Economist

His serious and tabloid newspapers have viciously assailed the monarchy.He may feel he has outgrown Britain: the place does not much interest him at present.

The Economist

ASEAN frets that he thinks Indonesia has outgrown it, and that he might try to pursue his country's diplomatic interests more on his own.Malaysia holds the rotating chair of ASEAN this year.

The Economist

Since the early 1990s, emerging markets have routinely and often substantially outgrown the rich world.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "outgrown" to describe situations where something has surpassed its original limits or purpose. For example, "The company has "outgrown" its initial business model."

Common error

Avoid using "outgrown" as a simple synonym for 'exceeded' in active voice constructions. "Outgrown" often implies a natural progression or a change in suitability rather than just a numerical excess. For example, instead of saying 'The plant outgrew the pot', consider 'The plant "outgrew" the pot', meaning it was time to move the plant to a larger pot.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "outgrown" is as a past participle. It typically functions as part of a verb phrase or as an adjective, indicating that something has surpassed its original limits or stage. As Ludwig AI indicates, you can use it to denote that something has outpaced a person's mental, physical, or capacity to handle it.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Encyclopedias

21%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

17%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "outgrown" functions as a past participle indicating that something has surpassed its original limits or capacity. As Ludwig highlights, the word is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, science and encyclopedias. While "outgrown" is versatile, consider related phrases like "surpassed" or "exceeded" for nuanced meanings. Be mindful of using "outgrown" in active voice constructions where it might not accurately convey the intended meaning. By following these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate "outgrown" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surpassed

Indicates exceeding a limit or boundary, often implying achievement beyond expectations. Differs in suggesting a completed action of surpassing.

exceeded

Focuses on going beyond a specific quantity, degree, or rate. Suggests a measurable limit has been passed.

moved beyond

Suggests a transition to a new stage or perspective, implying that the initial phase has been completed and left behind.

left behind

Highlights the act of progressing to a point where previous limitations or associations are no longer relevant.

become too advanced for

Implies that the subject has developed to a level exceeding the capabilities or suitability of something else.

risen above

Indicates overcoming limitations or negative circumstances, suggesting a positive progression.

developed beyond

Focuses on the evolution and growth of something to a state that surpasses its initial form or function.

surmounted

Implies overcoming an obstacle or difficulty, resulting in a position beyond the initial challenge.

progressed past

Indicates a sequential advancement, suggesting that the subject has moved through and beyond a certain phase.

outstripped

Highlights exceeding in speed or efficiency, suggesting a faster rate of development.

FAQs

How can I use "outgrown" in a sentence?

You can use "outgrown" to indicate that something has surpassed its initial limits, purpose, or usefulness. For example, 'The city has "outgrown" its infrastructure,' or 'She has "outgrown" her childhood fears'.

What are some synonyms for "outgrown"?

Alternatives to "outgrown" include "surpassed", "exceeded", or "moved beyond", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say someone has "outgrown" a skill?

While less common, it's acceptable to say someone has "outgrown" a skill if they've progressed to a point where the skill is no longer challenging or relevant to their current abilities. A better way to express this could be: that person has "become too advanced for" a skill.

What is the difference between "outgrown" and "overgrown"?

"Outgrown" implies surpassing limits or usefulness, while "overgrown" refers to excessive growth, often in a wild or unmanaged way. For example, 'The business has "outgrown" its initial market,' versus 'The garden is "overgrown" with weeds'.