Word Verb
outlive
v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˌaʊtˈɫɪv/ UK /aʊtlˈɪv/ out·live UK spelling outlived, outlives, outliving
Definition
v.to live longer than someone or something else. You use this when comparing the lifespan of two people or things.
v.to live for a longer period than another person or thing. Transitive — requires a direct object.
Examples
“The old oak tree will outlive us all.”
“Many people worry that their savings will not outlive them in an era of rising healthcare costs.”
“While the original building was demolished decades ago, the foundation stones managed to outlive the structure, serving as a silent testament to the city's architectural history.”
Etymology
From Middle English outliven, equivalent to out- + live.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
This entry
Origin Middle English outliven
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated