What does outran mean?
“Outran” is the past tense of the verb “outrun,” meaning to run faster than someone or something. It can also describe escaping from a pursuer by running. Figuratively, the word means to surpass another person or thing in achievement, popularity, performance, or success: a company may outran its competitors, or an individual may outran expectations. The expression often conveys decisive superiority rather than a narrow victory. Its literal use is familiar from stories of chases and races, while its figurative use is common in reporting and formal discussion. As a past-tense form, “outran” appears naturally in completed narrative statements and comparisons between earlier achievements.
verbTo run faster than someone or something, or to escape from it. In figurative use, it means to surpass or exceed another person or thing in achievement, performance, or success.
- To run faster than someone or something.
- To escape from someone or something by running.
- To surpass another person or thing in achievement, performance, or success.
"The sprinter outran his rivals and reached the finish line first."
"The hare outran the hounds and vanished into the woods."
"Her career outran the expectations of even her most optimistic mentors."
A single powerful prefix can turn “ran” into a story of speed, escape, or extraordinary success.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does outran come from?
The word is formed from the prefix “out-” and the verb “run,” expressing the idea of running beyond or ahead of another person or thing. The form with the past-tense ending, “outran,” follows the regular inflection of modern English. The semantic extension from literal speed to figurative superiority developed through the common metaphor of being ahead in a race.
Related word forms
How outran is actually used
“Outran” is the past tense of “outrun.” It is formal in its literal sense but commonly used figuratively in business, sport, politics, and competitive contexts.
Easily confused with outran
“Outran” means to run faster than or escape someone or something, whereas “overran” usually means to overwhelm, overrun, or extend beyond a limit.