outwent
Very Low / ArchaicArchaic, Literary, Highly Formal
Definition
Meaning
The simple past tense of the verb 'outgo', meaning to go out, to leave, or to surpass in going.
Archaic and literary term meaning to go out from a place or to exceed something (e.g., in speed or extent) in the past.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb 'outgo' and its past tense 'outwent' are now almost entirely obsolete. 'Outwent' is a historical variant and is extremely rare in modern English. It is sometimes encountered in poetry, historical texts, or stylised writing. The modern equivalents are 'went out' or 'surpassed'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No regional difference; the word is equally obsolete in both varieties. It survives only in fixed historical or literary contexts.
Connotations
Poetic, antiquated, archaic. Its use would be considered highly marked and deliberate.
Frequency
Virtually never used in contemporary speech or writing in either variety.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Subject + outwent + (Object). E.g., 'He outwent his rival.'Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “none”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Rarely, if ever, used except in historical linguistics or analysis of old texts.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The king outwent his advisors to meet the crowd.
- In speed, the courier outwent all expectations.
American English
- The pioneer outwent the established trail into the valley.
- Her enthusiasm outwent that of her colleagues.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The messenger outwent the army to deliver the warning.
- Few outwent him in dedication to the cause.
- The scholar's interpretation outwent the conventional analysis of the period.
- In his rage, he outwent all bounds of propriety.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Out + Went'. It's the action of 'going out' that already happened.
Conceptual Metaphor
MOVEMENT IS PROGRESS/SUPERIORITY (to 'go out' or 'go beyond' something is to surpass it).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with modern English 'outweigh' or 'outwit'. The direct Russian translation 'вышел' or 'превзошел' is only historical.
- Do not attempt to use this form as a model for other verbs; it is an irregular and obsolete form.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'outwent' in modern speech or writing.
- Confusing it with 'outweighed' or 'outwitted'.
- Incorrectly creating a present tense '*outgoes' based on the encounter with 'outwent'.
Practice
Quiz
The word 'outwent' is best described as:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is an archaic past tense form of the verb 'to outgo', meaning to go out or surpass. It is not used in contemporary English.
No, unless you are writing a historical analysis or deliberately using an archaic style. Modern equivalents like 'went out' or 'surpassed' should be used instead.
The present tense is 'outgoes' (for he/she/it) or 'outgo', but these forms are also obsolete. The modern verb phrase is 'go out' or the verb 'surpass'.
Dictionaries include it for historical completeness and to aid in understanding older literature, such as works from the 17th-19th centuries.