What does outshine mean?
Outshine is a verb meaning to shine more brightly than another person or thing, and, more commonly, to surpass them in achievement, ability, or reputation. It is especially effective in figurative contexts, where it suggests that someone or something is so impressive that others are made to seem less distinguished by comparison. For example, a performer might outshine the competition, or a writer might outshine more experienced contemporaries. The word is used in both British and American English and appears in formal writing as well as everyday speech. Its strong connotation of clear superiority makes it more emphatic than words such as exceed or match. Outshine can be conjugated as outshines, outshone, and outshining.
To shine more brightly or brilliantly than someone or something else.
"A small lamp can outshine a much larger, poorly positioned light."
The literal sense is less common than the figurative sense of surpassing someone in achievement or distinction.
To surpass another person in achievement, reputation, ability, or distinction.
"The team's performance outshone that of every other club in the league."
Often used with the competition, other performers, predecessors, or comparable people and things.
Outshine is the verb behind the idea of making everyone else look dim by comparison.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does outshine come from?
Outshine is formed in English by combining the prefix out-, meaning beyond or to a greater degree, with the verb shine. The compound reflects the original idea of shining more brilliantly than something else. The underlying verb shine is Germanic in origin and is related to forms found in other Germanic languages. The figurative sense of surpassing another person developed naturally from the literal sense of producing a brighter light.
Related word forms
How outshine is actually used
Common in both formal and informal English. Its figurative use often carries the connotation of clear superiority rather than merely matching or slightly exceeding another person or thing.
Easily confused with outshine
Overshadow generally means to make someone or something seem less important by comparison, whereas outshine more directly suggests being superior in brilliance or achievement.
Eclipse can mean to outshine or surpass someone, but it also commonly describes a celestial event or a sudden decline in prominence.