overgrown

[ oh-ver-grohn, oh-ver-grohn ]

adjective

1. grown to excess; grown too large:

   She's an adult cat, but she acts just like an overgrown kitten.

2. covered with a growth of something:

   Portions of this trail may be overgrown with brush.

Word History and Origins

Origin of overgrown¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; over- ( def ) + grown ( def )

Example Sentences

A 1997 article in The Times points to Paul Doyle, a refinery maintenance worker who thought it would be great to paint the tank to “look like an overgrown vegetable from a pumpkin patch.”

From Los Angeles Times

Speaking near the area she was found, now overgrown with brambles, nettles and horse chestnut trees, detective Franc Dannerolle says the teenager’s body was “disposed of like garbage”.

From BBC

The problem was that, like many other overgrown trusts of the era, its financial condition was opaque to its investors and even its bankers.

From Los Angeles Times

"Being able to help the animals and then see them running around the next day is great," the 22 year old added, "the calves are just overgrown puppies."

From BBC

The huge drainage pools on the other side of her fence had become overgrown, with trees and shrubs growing through the reeds, she says.

From BBC

Related Words

• dense
• lush