Word
outperform
Phoneticsout·per·form, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈaʊtpɝˌfɔɹm/
UK/aʊtpəfˈɔːm/
Definition
v. to do something better, faster, or more successfully than someone or something else.
v. to surpass or exceed the performance of a competitor, peer, or previous benchmark.
Examples
“The new model will outperform the older version in speed tests.”
“Small tech startups often outperform larger corporations because they can adapt to market changes more quickly.”
“Despite the economic downturn, the company managed to outperform its rivals by diversifying its investment portfolio and cutting unnecessary operational costs.”
Examples
simple
“The new model will outperform the older version in speed tests.”
contextual
“Small tech startups often outperform larger corporations because they can adapt to market changes more quickly.”
complex
“Despite the economic downturn, the company managed to outperform its rivals by diversifying its investment portfolio and cutting unnecessary operational costs.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and requires a direct object representing the entity being surpassed.
Pitfall
The stock outperformed than the market average.
The stock outperformed the market average.
Outperform is a transitive verb and does not require a preposition like 'than' or 'over' before the object.
Real-World Examples
“Their experiment outperforms even a perfect, noise-free run of the old method.” “The most promising results were from groups C and D, in which clove oil treatment outperformed amitraz.” Etymology
From out- + perform.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/outperform