What does outstand mean?
Outstand is a relatively uncommon verb with two principal meanings. In its more concrete sense, it describes something that projects, rises, or stands out from a surrounding surface or group. For example, a peak may outstand a plain, or a tower may outstand the buildings around it. The word can also mean to excel or surpass another person or thing, although this use is now mainly literary or old-fashioned and is much less common than the adjective outstanding, which developed from the same word. Modern speakers usually choose stand out when they want to express conspicuousness and outstanding when describing exceptional quality. Although outstand sounds straightforward beside its prefix out- and the familiar word stand, it is encountered less often in everyday speech than related expressions. Its historical value lies in showing how a vivid physical idea—the thing that stands beyond or above the rest—can develop into a broader description of distinction and excellence.
verbTo project or stand out from a surface, group, or other things. In older usage, it can also mean to surpass or excel.
- To project or stand out from a surface or group.
- To surpass, excel, or be greater than something else.
"The rocky cliffs outstand dramatically above the surrounding sea."
"A single tall tower outstands the otherwise low skyline."
"The company’s long-established reputation outstands those of its newer competitors."
The word “outstanding” was born from the idea of standing out from the crowd before it came to mean someone is exceptionally talented.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does outstand come from?
Outstand was formed in English by combining out- with stand, expressing the idea of projecting or being positioned beyond something else. The verb belongs to a family of English and Germanic words connected with the old Germanic root for “stand,” including withstand and understand. The derived adjective outstanding later came to mean both conspicuously prominent and exceptionally excellent, while it can also describe a financial obligation that remains unpaid.
Related word forms
How outstand is actually used
Outstand is uncommon in modern English. The expression “stand out” is far more familiar, while “outstand” in the sense of surpassing others is chiefly literary or archaic.
Easily confused with outstand
Outstand is a rare verb meaning to project or excel, whereas outstanding is a common adjective meaning excellent, exceptional, or still unpaid.