overgrow

verb

over·​grow ˌō-vər-ˈgrō How to pronounce overgrow (audio)
overgrew ˌō-vər-ˈgrü How to pronounce overgrow (audio) ; overgrown ˌō-vər-ˈgrōn How to pronounce overgrow (audio) ; overgrowing

transitive verb

1
: to grow over so as to cover with herbage
2
: to grow beyond or rise above : outgrow

intransitive verb

1
: to grow excessively
2
: to become grown over
overgrowth noun

Examples of overgrow in a Sentence

The weeds have overgrown the garden.
Recent Examples on the Web City of West Allis Attorney Kail Decker had sent a notice of nuisance to Burger King in May 2023, saying the property was overgrown with weeds, contained broken glass and had painted wood that was rotting underneath. Adrienne Davis, Journal Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2024 There were actually two coops and one very long run, which was overgrown with weeds. Martha McPhee, The New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2023 The park was another new one: Before the riverbed was cleaned and its banks strengthened, this place was neglected, overgrown with reeds. Haiane Avakian, The Atlantic, 27 Sep. 2023 At his house, Heuberger led me through a garden overgrown with lavender and brambles, and into a sparsely furnished living room, where a baby’s play mat was the only splash of color. Heidi Blake, The New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2023 Flamingo Estate High above Los Angeles on seven acres overgrown with citrus, wild herbs, and flowers, the fantastical Flamingo Estate produces soaps, candles, jams, and tinctures to delight the body and feed the soul. Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 6 Oct. 2023 Common Problems With Pampas Grass If the tussock or crown of the plant is overgrown, the middle of the plant can get too full and start to rot or completely die back. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 11 Sep. 2023 Before that, the lot was overgrown with bushes and weeds, said Sandra Sanders, an Avalon Village volunteer who started the garden and maintains it today. Nushrat Rahman, Detroit Free Press, 2 Sep. 2023 If the runoff were to carry fertilizers or sewage rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, Smith said the reefs could also run the risk of an algae bloom, which can overgrow and smother corals. Kate Selig, Anchorage Daily News, 11 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overgrow.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of overgrow was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near overgrow

Cite this Entry

“Overgrow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overgrow. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

overgrow

verb
over·​grow ˌō-vər-ˈgrō How to pronounce overgrow (audio)
overgrew -ˈgrü How to pronounce overgrow (audio) ; overgrown -ˈgrōn How to pronounce overgrow (audio) ; overgrowing
1
: to grow over so as to cover
2
3
: to grow too big
an overgrown puppy
4
: to become grown over
overgrowth noun

Medical Definition

overgrow

intransitive verb
over·​grow ˌō-vər-ˈgrō How to pronounce overgrow (audio)
overgrew -ˈgrü How to pronounce overgrow (audio) ; overgrown -ˈgrōn How to pronounce overgrow (audio) ; overgrowing
: to grow or increase beyond the normal or natural size or numbers
when a scar overgrows into a keloidMorris Fishbein

More from Merriam-Webster on overgrow

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