outclass
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /aʊtklˈɑːs/
US
- /ˈaʊtˌklæs/
Description
- surpass
- be much better than
- clearly do better than
Imagine two runners in a race. If one runner keeps finishing far ahead of the other, we can say they outclass their competitor. It means to be clearly better in skill, quality, or performance. You might outclass someone in a game of chess, or a new car model might outclass an older one with better features and fuel efficiency. It is not just about winning; it is about showing a clear gap. Think of it as being in a different league.
To outclass means to be noticeably superior to someone or something else, especially in skill, quality, or performance. It suggests a big difference, not just a small edge, but a clear and easy-to-see advantage. The word often carries the idea that one person or thing is simply on a higher level.
You will often see it used in sports, games, business, and product comparisons. A chess player may outclass an opponent by staying calm and making stronger moves from start to finish. A chef's dish might outclass the others in a cooking competition because it tastes better and looks better. A new phone or car model may outclass an older one by offering better performance, design, or features.
The word does not always suggest pride or arrogance. Often, it simply points to a clear difference in ability or standard. You can use it in a fairly objective way when one thing is plainly better than another. For example: "The new engine technology completely outclasses anything currently on the market."
There is also an older use connected to social class, where one person was said to be above another in class or status, but that meaning is much less common today. In modern English, the word is mostly about clear superiority in performance, quality, or skill. So when you want to describe someone or something that stands well above the rest, outclass is a strong and natural choice.
Examples
- 1
Sports game
Their team outclassed us in the second half.
- 2
Boxing
The young boxer was clearly outclassed by the champion.
- 3
Design competition
Her design outclassed the other entries in the competition.
- 4
Product comparison
The new phone outclasses its rivals in battery life and camera quality.
- 5
Experience gap
I felt completely outclassed at the meeting because everyone else had years of experience.
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- outclassverb
Forms
- outclassedpast tenseverb
- outclassing-ing formverb
- outclassesverb