Outsell Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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outsell

[aʊtˈsɛl ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

sales comparison

To outsell means to sell more of a product than another product or competitor. It often refers to a situation where one item or brand achieves greater sales figures compared to others in the same market or category.

Synonyms

outperform, outstrip, surpass.

Examples of usage

  • The new smartphone model outsold all its competitors.
  • Our brand has consistently outsold others in the premium segment.
  • Last year's winter collection outsold the summer collection by a large margin.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Business

  • Companies often strategize in marketing and advertising to outsell competitors during launches.
  • A product can outsell another due to brand loyalty, pricing strategies, or even improved features.
  • Seasonal trends can greatly affect sales, making it possible for one item to outsell others during holidays.

Pop Culture

  • The phrase 'outsell' has become common in discussions about popular movies, books, and music, measuring success through sales figures.
  • Certain iconic toys or video games often outsell previous generations, showing how trends can shift dramatically.
  • Celebrities often collaborate on products with brands to outsell traditional competitors, showcasing the blend of entertainment and commerce.

Psychology

  • Consumer behavior plays a key role in why some products outsell others; brand perception affects buying decisions.
  • People are influenced by social proof, where seeing others prefer a product may lead them to buy it themselves.
  • Limited editions can trigger a sense of urgency, causing products to outsell regular versions.

Origin of 'outsell'

Main points about word origin

  • The word originates from the combination of 'out', meaning beyond or exceeding, and 'sell', which comes from Old English 'sellan', meaning to give or hand over.
  • It has been in use since the early 20th century, reflecting a more competitive marketplace.
  • Many business-related terms have evolved alongside this word, indicating a growing importance of sales in economics.

The term 'outsell' is a compound word formed from the prefix 'out-' and the verb 'sell'. The prefix 'out-' implies going beyond, surpassing, or exceeding in some capacity. It is believed to have originated in the early 20th century around the 1900s when the concept of competitive selling and marketing became more pronounced. As businesses began to focus more on sales figures and market shares, terms like 'outsell' became essential in describing competitive dynamics in commerce. The verb 'sell' itself has Old English roots, deriving from 'sellan', which meant 'to give, to provide'. Thus, 'outsell' aptly captures the notion of exceeding others not just in quantity sold, but in market performance as a whole.