What does outlasting mean?
Outlasting means to remain in existence, use, or importance for a longer period than someone or something else. It is especially useful when discussing products, traditions, structures, ideas, and people that endure beyond their expected time or beyond competing alternatives. The word can describe a lasting advantage, as in “a design that outlasted its competitors,” or suggest unusual durability, as in “a bridge outlasting the river’s worst floods.” Its connotations are generally positive: persistence, endurance, and lasting relevance. Although it can be used in ordinary conversation, it also has a slightly formal quality in analytical or historical writing. The related verb outlast is more common as the base form, while outlasting is the form most often used before a noun or in progressive constructions.
verbTo last longer than someone or something else, especially by remaining in use, existence, or competition after another person or thing has ended.
- The present participle of outlast, meaning to remain in existence or use for a longer time than someone or something else.
"The new design outlasted several earlier versions and became the company’s long-term standard."
"The old bridge is still standing, outlasting many of the structures built around it."
"Her practical style outlasted several trends and inspired a generation of designers."
Outlasting is the quiet superpower of staying relevant long after the competition has disappeared.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does outlasting come from?
The word is a compound of the prefix out-, meaning “beyond” or “longer than,” and the English word last. The element last comes from Old English and is related to the idea of duration or remaining. Outlast developed in English with the meaning “to last longer than,” and the verb is well established by the early modern period. The formation follows a transparent English pattern: out- + last.
Related word forms
How outlasting is actually used
Outlasting is the present participle and gerund of outlast. It is neutral in register and is commonly used both after a linking verb, as in “the product outlasted its competitors,” and before a noun, as in “an outlasting design.”
Easily confused with outlasting
Outlasting usually means to remain in existence or use longer than something, whereas outlive commonly means to survive a person or event.