English Reference
Verb

outlast

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈaʊtˌɫæst/ UK /aʊtlˈɑːst/ out·last UK spelling outlasted, outlasting, outlasts

v.to stay alive or continue for a longer time than someone or something else. You use this when comparing how long two things last.

v.to survive or continue for a longer duration than another person or thing. Transitive — requires a direct object.


SIMPLE

The old oak tree will outlast the new fence.

CONTEXTUAL

The experienced hikers knew they would outlast the storm if they stayed in the shelter and waited for the winds to die down.

COMPLEX

While the initial marketing campaign was flashy, the brand's reputation for quality was designed to outlast the novelty of the first few advertisements.

After all, Ukraine's security is our security." He said the friendship Ukraine shared with the UK would "long outlast Russia's illegal war", adding: "Russia should be in no doubt of our resolve.

BBC News· 25 Aug 2026

From out- + last.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated