Outscoring - Definition, Meaning, and Examples in English

Definition

^{Context #1 | Verb}

sports competition

Outscoring refers to the act of scoring more points than an opponent in a competitive scenario, particularly in sports. It emphasizes the disparity in scoring between two or more participants or teams. Achieving a higher score than the competition is a primary objective in games like basketball, football, and baseball. The term can also be used metaphorically to describe surpassing someone in other areas, such as financial gain or achievements.

Synonyms

exceed, outperform, surpass.

Examples of usage

The team outscored their rivals by twenty points.
In the last quarter, they managed to outscore the opposition.
He outscored all his competitors in the tournament.
She hopes to outscore her previous record.

Interesting Facts

Sports

In most sports, outscoring the opponent is the main goal, meaning you want to get more points or goals than they do.
In basketball, for example, a team outscoring its rival can lead directly to winning a championship.
Many strategies in games focus on outscoring opponents rather than just playing defense.

Psychology

Players often feel a rush of adrenaline when they achieve outscoring, which can increase their confidence and focus.
The desire to outscore can lead to competitive behavior, influencing social dynamics in both professional and recreational settings.
Studies suggest that the thrill of outscoring can trigger the release of dopamine, a brain chemical associated with reward.

Business and Marketing

In sales, businesses aim to 'outscore' competitors by achieving higher sales figures or customer satisfaction ratings.
Outscoring in business can also refer to outperforming rivals in innovation or market presence.
Companies might measure success by their ability to consistently outscore competitors in financial performance.

Cultural Significance

In many cultures, outscoring is viewed as a clear indicator of success, often used in games, sports, and academic settings.
The concept extends beyond games; in life, 'outscoring' can symbolize personal achievements and milestones.
In competitive environments, outscoring can create narratives of heroism or failure, impacting public perception.

Origin of 'outscoring'

Main points about word origin

The word combines 'out,' meaning beyond or outside, with 'score,' rooted in the Old Norse 'skora,' meaning to mark or tally.
The practice of keeping score dates back to ancient sports and games, where recording points was essential to determining a winner.
Outscoring has become a common term in sports commentary, gaining popularity in the 20th century as competitive sports grew.

The term 'outscoring' is derived from the combination of 'out-' which is a prefix meaning 'to a greater extent or degree' and 'score', which originates from the Old French word 'escor' (to compute) inflected in the 14th century to denote the act of counting or tallying points. This term was initially used in the context of games and sports to quantify results against opponents. As sports became formalized in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the usage of 'outscore' solidified within the lexicon of athletic competition. Its application has since expanded into broader contexts where one entity exceeds another in measurable terms, such as academic performance or business metrics.

Outscoring Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations