Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Outdid Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

🏆
Add to dictionary

outdid

[aʊtˈdɪd ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

competition performance

Outdid is the past tense of outdo, meaning to surpass or exceed someone in performance or achievement. It often implies achieving more than what was previously done by another person or group. This term can be applied in various contexts, such as sports, academics, or even in everyday tasks. The emphasis is typically on comparison, where one person's effort or result is greater than another's.

Synonyms

excelled, outperformed, surpassed, transcended.

Examples of usage

  • She outdid her competitors in the race.
  • He outdid himself by cooking a gourmet dinner.
  • The team outdid last year's score in the championship.
  • Her performance outdid all expectations.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Research shows that competition can significantly motivate individuals to improve their skills.
  • Outdoing others can lead to a boost in self-esteem, as achieving better outcomes is often linked with personal validation.
  • However, excessive competition can also create anxiety and stress, demonstrating the delicate balance in striving to outdo.

Pop Culture

  • In sports, many athletes are celebrated for outdoing their previous performances, setting new records each season.
  • Reality shows often feature competitions where participants aim to outdo not just each other, but also themselves from prior episodes.
  • Social media influences the concept of outdoing, with trends focused on showing a better lifestyle or achievements.

Literature

  • Many stories feature characters whose main goal is to outdo rivals, such as in fables where challenges serve as moral lessons.
  • Classic literature often highlights themes of rivalry and achievement, with protagonists striving to outdo challenges or adversaries.
  • The motif of outdoing oneself is prevalent in works about personal growth or redemption arcs.

Origin of 'outdid'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'outdid' is the past tense of 'outdo', which comes from the prefix 'out-' meaning 'beyond' and 'do', meaning to perform an action.
  • 'Outdo' has been used since the early 1500s, indicating competitive actions or achievements.
  • The concept of 'doing better' has existed in various cultures, emphasizing mastery and excellence.

The word 'outdo' has its origins in Old English, where 'ut' meant 'out' and 'don' meant 'to do'. This combination highlights the sense of doing something beyond the normal limits or expectations. The usage of 'outdo' can be traced back to the 15th century, becoming more prevalent as competition became a significant aspect of various fields, including sports and arts. Over centuries, the term has evolved, retaining its core meaning but expanding into more contexts like personal achievements and everyday life. The transition from 'outdo' to its past tense 'outdid' follows standard English conjugation rules, reinforcing its widespread use in both spoken and written forms.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,930 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.