outlast
B2Neutral to Formal
Definition
Meaning
To exist, endure, or remain functional for a longer period than something else; to survive something else.
To withstand stress, hardship, or competition over time better than a rival; to persist where others fail.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Always implies a comparative duration or endurance against a specific competitor or challenging condition. Often carries a nuance of resilience or superior stamina.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation follow standard regional patterns.
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties, associated with endurance and competition.
Frequency
Similar frequency; slightly more common in sports, business, and historical contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] outlasts [Object (person/thing)][Subject] outlasts [Object] by [time period]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Outlast one's welcome (less common variant of 'overstay one's welcome')”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to companies or products surviving market changes or competitors.
Academic
Used in historical, biological, or materials science contexts discussing longevity.
Everyday
Common for discussing durability of objects, stamina in activities, or survival in difficult situations.
Technical
Used in engineering for component lifespan, or in sports science for athlete endurance.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The old oak table has outlasted three sets of kitchen chairs.
- Their defence managed to outlast the relentless attack.
- Will this new model outlast its predecessor?
American English
- This phone battery outlasts all the competitors by two hours.
- Her reputation outlasted the scandal.
- Can our startup outlast the economic downturn?
adverb
British English
- (Not standard; no common adverbial form.)
American English
- (Not standard; no common adverbial form.)
adjective
British English
- (Not standard; no common adjectival form. Use 'long-lasting' instead.)
American English
- (Not standard; no common adjectival form. Use 'long-lasting' instead.)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My new shoes outlast my old ones.
- The bigger candle outlasts the small one.
- This brand of phone outlasts cheaper models by years.
- She outlasted all the other runners in the marathon.
- The ancient civilisation outlasted its neighbours by several centuries.
- His political career surprisingly outlasted the major crisis.
- The treaty's provisions were designed to outlast the current geopolitical tensions.
- Her influence in the company outlasted her official tenure as CEO.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'LAST' is at the end of 'outLAST'. To OUT-LAST something is to be the one still standing at the END.
Conceptual Metaphor
ENDURANCE IS A RACE AGAINST TIME / SURVIVAL IS OUTRUNNING A THREAT.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'пережить' when it means 'to experience emotionally'. Use 'пережить' only in the sense of 'survive a person/event'.
- Not synonymous with 'продлить' (to extend). 'Outlast' is a result of inherent durability, not an intentional act of prolonging.
Common Mistakes
- Using it without a clear object of comparison (e.g., 'The battery outlast.' -> 'The battery outlasts the others.').
- Confusing with 'outlive', which is primarily for lifespan of living things.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'outlast' used correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Outlast' is broader and applies to things, events, or people in any endurance contest. 'Outlive' is more specific to living longer than another person or surviving a life-threatening event.
Rarely. It is a transitive verb and almost always requires a direct object (what is being lasted longer than), either stated or clearly implied by context.
It is neutral but leans slightly towards formal or descriptive registers. It's perfectly acceptable in everyday speech, especially when discussing competition or durability.
Not necessarily. It can describe passive durability (e.g., a metal that outlasts plastic) or active, conscious endurance (e.g., an athlete outlasting opponents). The context determines this.