WordGarden.iooutrank
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /aʊtrˈæŋk/
US
Meanings
Verb
to rank higher than someone or something in status, authority, or priority
Beyond the definition
To outrank someone means to have a higher position, grade, or level of authority than they have. You often hear it in the military, where a captain outranks a lieutenant, but it also works in other organized settings such as business, government, or police work. The word usually points to a clear order, where one person stands above another in status or power. It can also be used more broadly for things that carry more importance or come first in priority.
The word "outrank" describes being above someone else in position, grade, or authority. It is strongly linked to formal hierarchies, especially in the military, where a general outranks a colonel and a captain outranks a lieutenant. The same idea appears in workplaces, government offices, police departments, and other systems where roles are clearly ordered. If one person outranks another, that person has the higher standing and usually more authority.
The word can also be used a little more broadly when talking about importance or priority. For example, someone might say that safety outranks speed, meaning safety should come first. In this wider use, the idea is still the same: one thing stands above another in an accepted order of importance.
The key to understanding "outrank" is the idea of rank or standing. It is not just about being better in a general sense. It suggests a real difference in level, status, or authority, or at least a clear order of importance. Think of a ladder: the person on the higher step outranks the person below.
Examples
- 1
Military rank
In the army, a captain outranks a lieutenant.
- 2
Company hierarchy
She was younger than most of the team, but she outranked them at the company.
- 3
Institutional priorities
In this hospital, patient safety outranks speed.
- 4
Competition results
Their school outranked ours in the national science competition.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Search results
A well-written page can outrank older pages in search results.
See also
Similar
- rank above
- be senior to
- stand above
Shades of meaning
- take precedence over
- outclass
Contrast
- rank below
- be subordinate to
Used with (collocations)
- outrank someone
- outrank a colleague
- outrank in seniority
- outrank in importance
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- outrankverb
Forms
- outranksverb
- outrankedpast tenseverb
- outranking-ing formverb