outnumber
B2Neutral to formal. Common in news, analysis, and descriptive contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To be greater in number than someone or something.
To exceed or surpass in quantity, often implying an imbalance where one group or type dominates another numerically.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used with countable nouns. Strongly implies a comparative numerical advantage, often in situations of competition, conflict, or demographic description.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or grammatical differences. The verb is used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral in both, simply describing a numerical fact. Can carry implicit negative or competitive connotations depending on context (e.g., 'outnumbered defenders').
Frequency
Similar, moderate frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] outnumbers [Object][Subject] is/are outnumbered by [Object]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[To be] fighting a losing battle (when outnumbered)”
- “[To be] outgunned and outnumbered”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
In market analysis: 'Our brand loyalists still outnumber new customers.'
Academic
In demographics: 'In the surveyed region, native speakers outnumber second-language learners.'
Everyday
Describing a party: 'I hope our friends outnumber strangers at the gathering.'
Technical
In military strategy: 'Forces should avoid engagements where they are outnumbered three to one.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- In many UK constituencies, Remain voters now outnumber Leave supporters.
- The away fans were outsung but they didn't outnumber the home support.
American English
- In the Senate, Republicans outnumber Democrats.
- Suburban voters now outnumber rural ones in many states.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Dogs outnumber cats in our street.
- The girls outnumber the boys in our class.
- In the forest, pine trees easily outnumber oak trees.
- Our team was outnumbered, so we lost the game.
- The protesters were vastly outnumbered by police, leading to a quick dispersal.
- Online reviews praising the product now outnumber the critical ones.
- Despite being heavily outnumbered, the guerrilla forces used the terrain to their advantage.
- In the committee, pragmatists outnumber ideologues, which facilitates compromise.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a NUMBER that is OUT (outside/beyond) the other number. To OUTNUMBER is to have a number that is beyond or greater than another.
Conceptual Metaphor
QUANTITY IS SIZE/STRENGTH (e.g., 'They vastly outnumbered us' implies a larger, more powerful group).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid calquing with structures like 'превышать численно' in everyday speech; 'превосходить численно' or 'быть в большинстве' is more natural.
- Do not confuse with 'outweigh' (превосходить по важности/весу).
Common Mistakes
- Using with uncountable nouns (e.g., 'Water outnumbers land' is incorrect).
- Incorrect passive voice: 'We are outnumber' instead of 'We are outnumbered'.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'outnumber' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can be used for any countable nouns: people, animals, objects, or abstract countable concepts (e.g., advantages, votes).
Yes, the passive 'be outnumbered by' is very common (e.g., 'We were outnumbered by the opposing team').
'Vastly', 'greatly', and 'heavily' are very common collocations to emphasize a large numerical difference.
No, there is no direct noun form. Use phrases like 'numerical superiority', 'majority', or 'greater numbers' instead.
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