outgrow
UK[ˌaʊtˈɡrəʊ]US[ˌaʊtˈɡroʊ]
v
to grow too large for something, especially clothes
v
to stop doing something or lose interest in it as you become older
Morpheme Breakdown
out
grow
out
beyond
grow
increase in size
Etymology
the word 'outgrow' is a transparent compound formed from two native english elements. the prefix 'out-' derives from old english 'ūt', meaning "out, beyond," and is used here in its comparative sense of surpassing or exceeding. the verb 'grow' originates from old english 'grōwan', meaning "to flourish, increase," which has germanic roots tracing back to the proto-indo-european base ghre-, meaning "to grow, become green." the compound 'outgrow' literally means "to grow beyond," a concept that evolved from the physical sense of surpassing a size limit to the more abstract sense of maturing beyond a former habit, interest, or phase.
Analysis
Structure: out (beyond) + grow (increase in size)
- out: old english; a prefix meaning "beyond, more than, to a greater extent."
- grow: old english; a verb meaning "to increase in size, develop."
Examples
children outgrow their shoes very quickly.
he eventually outgrew his rebellious teenage phase.
the company has outgrown its small office space and needs to move.