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outsail

C2
UK/aʊtˈseɪl/US/ˌaʊtˈseɪl/

literary, formal, nautical

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

to sail faster or more skillfully than another vessel.

to surpass or outdo in a competitive or comparative context, often figuratively.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Primarily a verb of competition, implying a direct contest or comparison on the water. It is strongly associated with maritime contexts but can be used metaphorically.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant differences in meaning or usage; slightly more likely to be encountered in British English due to historical maritime tradition.

Connotations

Evokes classic maritime adventure and competition. Neutral in both varieties.

Frequency

Extremely rare in both varieties; almost exclusively found in literary or historical nautical contexts.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
fleetenemypursuerschoonerclipper
medium
vesselshipyachtcompetitorship could
weak
windraceattempt toeasilymanage to

Grammar

Valency Patterns

[Subject] outsails [Object][Subject] outsails [Object] in [Aspect, e.g., speed]

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

surpassoutmanoeuvre

Neutral

outpaceoutrunoutstrip

Weak

leave behindpull ahead ofget ahead of

Vocabulary

Antonyms

lag behindfall behindtrail

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “None directly associated.”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Used metaphorically: 'The startup aimed to outsail its competitors in the new market.'

Academic

Rare; found in historical analyses of naval warfare or shipping.

Everyday

Virtually never used in casual conversation.

Technical

Used in sailing and yachting commentary or historical accounts.

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

  • The sleek cutter could easily outsail the heavier merchant brig.
  • In the regatta, they hoped to outsail every other yacht in the squadron.

American English

  • The schooner outsailed the larger frigate by taking advantage of the coastal winds.
  • With her new sails, she was confident she could outsail the competition.

adverb

British English

  • No standard adverbial form.

American English

  • No standard adverbial form.

adjective

British English

  • No standard adjectival form.

American English

  • No standard adjectival form.

Examples

By CEFR Level

A2
  • This boat is very fast.
B1
  • The smaller boat was faster and won the race.
B2
  • Despite its size, the yacht managed to outpace its rivals in the strong wind.
C1
  • The privateer's agile sloop could outsail any heavier naval vessel, allowing it to escape or engage at will.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: to 'sail out' ahead of someone. It's a race on the water.

Conceptual Metaphor

COMPETITION IS A RACE/SAILING.

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

  • Do not confuse with 'выплыть' (to swim/sail out). 'Outsail' is competitive ('обогнать под парусами', 'опередить в скорости под парусом').

Common Mistakes

  • Using it for non-maritime contexts without clear metaphorical intent.
  • Confusing it with 'outsell' or 'outstay'.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
With its superior design, the new clipper could all others on the tea trade route.
Multiple Choice

In which context is 'outsail' used most appropriately?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

No, it is a rare, specialised verb primarily used in literary or historical nautical contexts.

Yes, it can be used metaphorically to mean 'to surpass' in any competitive endeavour, though this usage is also rare.

There is no standard, commonly accepted noun form. 'Outsailing' can serve as a gerund.

Primarily speed, but it can also encompass superior sailing skill, route choice, or manoeuvring that results in getting ahead.