What does outliving mean?
Outliving is the present-participle form of outlive, meaning to live or exist longer than someone or something else. Its literal use describes a person who survives beyond another person's lifetime or a living thing that remains alive for a greater period. More broadly, it can refer to something that lasts after a fashion, institution, event, or scandal has ended: a person may outlive a reputation, or a building may outlive the society that constructed it. The word carries a slightly reflective tone because it often evokes time, endurance, and the relationship between life and what endures after it. In ordinary writing, it is a versatile alternative to outlast and survive, though outlast can sound more formal or emphatic. Outliving is not restricted by region and is common in both British and American English.
verbTo live or exist for a longer time than another person, thing, or period. It can also mean to remain in existence after something else has ended or become obsolete.
- To remain alive for a longer time than another person or living thing.
- To continue to exist after something else has ended, disappeared, or become obsolete.
- To survive or endure beyond a particular period or event.
"The old oak tree outlived several generations of the family who planted it."
"Her work in public health may outlive her lifetime."
"The handmade watch will probably outlive the device it was originally designed for."
Something can outlive not only a person but also the reputation, fashion, or institution that once gave it importance.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does outliving come from?
The word combines the prefix out- with live, meaning to remain alive. The older element live comes from Old English līfan, related to life and alive, and to forms such as living and lively. The compound out- gives the verb its sense of going beyond another person's lifetime or of lasting beyond something that has ended.
Related word forms
How outliving is actually used
The word is neutral in tone and is especially common in biographical, historical, and figurative contexts. In the second sense, it often implies that a person or thing has lasting significance beyond an earlier era or event.
Easily confused with outliving
Outliving is the present-participle form of the verb outlive, while outlast is an infinitive and means the same thing in slightly more formal or emphatic contexts.