Word
surpass
Phoneticssur·pass, stress on the second syllable
US/sɝˈpæs/
UK/səpˈɑːs/
Definition
v. to be even better or greater than someone or something else. You use this when a result is higher than what you expected.
v. to exceed a particular limit, expectation, or achievement; to be superior in quality or degree.
Examples
“The final sales figures surpass our original goals.”
“The athlete worked hard to surpass the world record during the summer games.”
“The beauty of the mountain range at sunset managed to surpass even the most vivid descriptions found in the travel guidebooks.”
Examples
simple
“The final sales figures surpass our original goals.”
contextual
“The athlete worked hard to surpass the world record during the summer games.”
complex
“The beauty of the mountain range at sunset managed to surpass even the most vivid descriptions found in the travel guidebooks.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and requires a direct object representing the limit or person being exceeded.
Pitfall
He surpassed from his brother in math.
He surpassed his brother in math.
Surpass is a transitive verb and does not take the preposition 'from'.
Real-World Examples
“Local officials in the DR Congo (DRC) reported on Tuesday that deaths from the Ebola virus disease have surpassed 2,000, with half of that number in the last 20 days.” Etymology
From Middle French surpasser (“to pass beyond”). By surface analysis, sur- + pass. Displaced native Old English oferstīgan (literally “to climb over”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/surpass