C2

OUT + Verb

The prefix out can be added to many verbs, especially action verbs, to mean "more or greater than". 

  • Outstay: to stay longer than ___.
    • Immigration officers are cracking down on visitors who outstay their visas
    • Sensing that he had outstayed his welcome, he quickly said his goodbyes and left
  • Outnumber: to be greater than in number.
    • Despite being outnumbered, they managed to fight back bravely
    • An area where sheep outnumber humans by twenty to one.
  • Outwit: to get the better of by superior ingenuity or cleverness.
    • The brothers tried to outwit each other in everything.
    • When it comes to customer care, a small firm can outwit a big company.
  • Outshine: to shine more brightly than __. / To go beyond (another) in excellence, achievement, etc.
    • He far outshone the rest of the class.
    • Several new players outshine the veterans.
  • Outgrow: to grow too large for / to grow or increase faster than.
    • She's already outgrown her school uniform.
    • He's already outgrown his older brother.
    • He's outgrown his passion for videogames.
  • Outlive: to live longer than. 
    • She outlived  her husband by 20 years.
    • His general theories have outlived those of his contemporaries.
  • Outbid: to outdo in bidding. / To make a higher bid than. 
    • The Museum has antagonised rivals by outbidding them for the world's greatest art treasures.
    • Developers could outbid any farmer for the land.
  • Outdo: to perform better than. / To do better than.
    • The benefits of the scheme outdo the disadvantages.
    • The benefits of this treatment far outdo any risks.
  • Outweigh: to be greater than __  in value or importance. / to exceed in weight
    • You think you can outweigh me?
    • She always managed to outweigh her political rivals.
  • Outsmart
    • The wolf had outsmarted hunters for years.
    • Somehow, he always manages to outsmart his opponents.