What does outbid mean?
Outbid means to offer more than someone else in order to win an auction, secure a contract, or obtain a competitive advantage. Its clearest use is in auctions: if one bidder outbids another, the second bidder offers a higher amount. More broadly, the verb can describe offering greater resources or effort than a competitor, such as a company that outbids another firm for a job or project. The word carries a competitive and sometimes cautionary implication, because the highest offer may not be the best value. Outbid is formed from the prefix out-, meaning beyond or more than, and bid, the common word for an offer or stake in a competitive exchange.
verbTo make a higher bid than someone else for the same item or opportunity. It can also mean to offer more money, resources, or effort than a competitor in order to secure an advantage.
- To make a higher bid than another person or bidder, especially in an auction or similar competitive process.
- To offer greater resources, effort, or compensation than a competitor in order to obtain an advantage.
"The rival bidder outbid her at the auction, securing the painting for a considerably higher price."
"Another company outbid them for the contract, despite their lower initial offer."
"She outbid several candidates for the position by offering more experience and a higher salary."
One sharp increase in price can make you the winner—or the person who paid more than the item was worth.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does outbid come from?
The word combines the prefix out-, meaning beyond or more than, with bid, the common word for an offer or stake in a competitive exchange. The prefix out- is inherited from Old English, while bid comes from Old English biddan, meaning to ask, request, or command. The combined verb developed in the sense of making a higher bid and later extended figuratively to competing more strongly for an opportunity.
Related word forms
How outbid is actually used
The word is most natural in auctions, bidding, contracts, and other competitive situations. It is commonly used in the past tense and participle as outbid, with present-tense outbids and gerund outbidding.
Easily confused with outbid
To outbid someone is to offer more than they offer, whereas to underbid someone is to offer less.