Standard Lemma guide

overgrow

verb · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • ō′vər-grō′
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -əʊ

1

verb

Meaning 1

To grow beyond one's boundaries or containment, or beyond the proper size.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To grow over; (of one thing) to cause (a second thing) to become overgrown (with or by the first thing).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

grow beyond or across

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The ivy overgrew the patio

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: grow over

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: grow

4

verb

Meaning 4

become overgrown

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The patio overgrew with ivy

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: change state, turn

5

verb

Meaning 5

grow too large

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: exceed, transcend, surpass

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *úp Proto-Indo-European *-er Proto-Indo-European *upér Proto-Germanic *uber Old English ofer- Middle English over- English over- English grow English overgrow From over- + grow.

Across languages

Translations

9 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: обраствам (obrastvam) — to grow or spread over something so as to stifle it
  • Czech: zarůstat — to grow or spread over something so as to stifle it
  • Czech: zarůst — to grow or spread over something so as to stifle it
  • Czech: přerůst — to grow or spread over something so as to stifle it
  • Dutch: overgroeien — to grow or spread over something so as to stifle it
  • Hungarian: benő — to grow or spread over something so as to stifle it
  • Hungarian: túlburjánzik — to grow or spread over something so as to stifle it
  • Māori: kōwaowao — to grow or spread over something so as to stifle it
  • Ottoman Turkish: آزمق (azmak) — to grow or spread over something so as to stifle it