1 A2 neutral
To become too large to wear or use something — especially clothing.
"He grew out of his school uniform so fast that they had to buy a new one every six months."
inseparable
grow out of
B1 neutral inseparable transitive
To become too big or too mature for something, or to stop doing something as a result of growing older.
In plain English
When you get too big for your clothes, or when you stop doing something because you've grown up and don't need it anymore.
What does "grow out of" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic neutral
To stop a habit, interest, or behavior as a natural result of growing older and maturing.
"Most kids grow out of their fear of the dark by the time they're teenagers."
inseparable
3 B2 idiomatic neutral
To originate or develop from something else as a result or consequence.
"The entire business grew out of a simple idea she had while commuting on the train."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To grow until you are outside of something — you literally grow beyond its boundaries.
Actually means
When you get too big for your clothes, or when you stop doing something because you've grown up and don't need it anymore.
Usage tip
Used in two common contexts: physical (outgrowing clothing) and behavioral (outgrowing habits, fears, or childish things). Also used for things that originate or develop from something else ('the project grew out of a casual conversation'). All three senses are frequent.
Words that pair with "grow out of"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
clothes habit fear phase idea conversation
How to conjugate "grow out of"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
grow out of
I/you/we/they
3rd person
grows out of
he/she/it
Past simple
grew out of
yesterday
Past participle
grown out of
have + pp
-ing form
growing out of
continuous
Hear "grow out of" in the wild
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