outgrow

Outgrow is a verb meaning to become too large, mature, or developed for a particular object, activity, or condition that was previously suitable. The term is frequently applied in personal development, describing how individuals surpass their earlier interests, abilities, or relationships as they age or acquire new experiences. A child, for example, may outgrow a toy, clothing size, or a stage of cognitive development, while an adult might outgrow a hobby, job role, or certain social circles when they no longer meet personal aspirations or needs.

In psychology, outgrowing is linked to developmental milestones and the concept of “standing in the gap” between earlier and later stages of identity formation. It reflects a natural progression wherein habits, beliefs, or environments become less compatible with an individual’s evolving self‑concept. The process can be positive, indicating growth and adaptation, but it may also involve loss or discomfort as familiar structures are left behind.

Linguistically, outgrow functions as a transitive verb and can be used metaphorically beyond physical size: policies, technologies, or cultural norms may be said to outgrow their relevance as societies change. The past participle form, outgrown, appears in constructions such as “the habit has been outgrown.” In comparative usage, the adjective “outgrown” modifies nouns to signal that the subject has exceeded a prior limit, e.g., “outgrown expectations.” The term thus captures a broad range of transitions from one state to a more advanced or appropriate one.