outwear
LowFormal, Literary, Technical
Definition
Meaning
To last longer than something else; to endure or survive longer; to wear something until it is no longer usable.
To exhaust or wear out through use; to outlast in terms of durability, usefulness, or relevance. Can also mean to become obsolete through persistent use.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
This verb is typically used in two primary senses: 1) the transitive sense of causing something (like clothing or an object) to become worn out through use, and 2) the comparative sense of lasting longer than something else. It is not commonly used in everyday conversation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is similar in both varieties, though the verb is generally rare. In specific technical or formal writing (e.g., engineering, textiles), it may appear slightly more often.
Connotations
Neutral; carries connotations of durability, endurance, or eventual exhaustion.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects. More likely to be encountered in written texts than spoken language.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[NP] outwears [NP] (transitive)[NP] outwears (intransitive, rare)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Outwear its welcome (to stay somewhere or be used long past the point of being wanted or useful).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in reports about product durability: 'Our components are engineered to outwear standard models.'
Academic
Found in historical, literary, or material science texts discussing longevity or obsolescence.
Everyday
Very rare in casual speech. A more common phrase would be 'last longer than' or 'wear out'.
Technical
Used in engineering, textiles, or product design to describe comparative durability or fatigue resistance.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- This classic waxed jacket will outwear any modern synthetic coat.
- He managed to outwear three pairs of boots on the long trek.
American English
- The new truck tires are guaranteed to outwear the factory ones.
- A good wool sweater can outwear a dozen cheap acrylic ones.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- These strong shoes will outwear my old ones.
- A well-made sofa should outwear a cheaper one by many years.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: WEAR something OUT. To OUT-WEAR is to wear it out completely, or to out-last it in terms of wearing.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A WEARING AGENT (something that endures time 'wears well' or 'outwears' others).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводить как "носить снаружи" (это *wear outside*).
- Не путать с глаголом "пережить" в эмоциональном смысле (это *survive*, *live through*).
- Основной смысл — сравнение по долговечности или полное изнашивание.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'outwear' to mean 'dress for outdoors' (correct: *outerwear*).
- Confusing it with the more common 'outlast'.
- Using it intransitively without an object in everyday contexts.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'outwear' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are completely different. 'Outerwear' is a noun meaning clothing for outdoors (coats, jackets). 'Outwear' is a verb meaning to last longer or wear out completely.
Yes, though it's less common. You can say an idea or a trend 'outwears' others, meaning it remains relevant or popular for a longer time.
The most common mistake is confusing it with the noun 'outerwear'. People sometimes mistakenly write 'outwear' when they mean a coat or jacket.
No, it is a low-frequency, formal word. In everyday language, people usually say 'last longer than' or 'wear out' instead.