overgrown
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /ˈoʊvərˌɡroʊn/
KK: /ˈoʊvərˌɡroʊn/
adjective
Definition
Describing an area that has too many plants or vegetation that have grown excessively large, often making it look messy or unkempt.
Example
The garden became overgrown after months of neglect, with weeds and tall grass everywhere.
Conversation
Have you seen my backyard lately?
Yeah, it's looking a bit overgrown with all those weeds.
I know! I really need to do some gardening this weekend.
Definitely! A little work will make it look so much better.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
lush
dense
wild
Antonyms
trimmed
neat
controlled
verb
Definition
To have grown too much or beyond what is normal, often referring to plants or vegetation that have become excessively large or dense.
Example
The garden was overgrown with weeds after weeks of neglect.
Tense Forms
Past: overgrew
Past Participle: overgrown
Conversation
Have you seen my backyard lately?
No, why?
Because it has really overgrown with weeds since I last mowed it.
Root Explanation
Overgrown → It is formed from "over-" (meaning excessively or too much) and "grown" (the past participle of "grow", meaning to increase in size or develop). The word "overgrown" describes something that has grown excessively, often referring to plants or vegetation that have become too large or unruly.
Memory Tip
Think of something that has grown 'too much' ('over-') — that's why overgrown means excessively large or wild.
Visually Confused Words
forgrown