What does outstride mean?
Outstride means to surpass, excel, or advance beyond another person, result, or standard. Its clearest figurative use describes exceptional achievement: a team may outstride its rivals, a discovery may outstride previous work, or a result may outstride expectations. The verb can also mean to exceed someone in walking speed or length of stride, although this literal sense is less frequent. The word has a formal, elevated tone and is more often encountered in writing than in everyday conversation. Formed from out and stride, it combines the idea of going beyond with a clear image of extending one's stride, making it especially effective when describing someone who not only keeps pace with others but moves decisively ahead of them.
verbTo surpass or excel in achievement, performance, or competition. It can also mean to exceed another person in walking speed or stride.
- To surpass or excel in achievement, performance, or competition.
- To exceed another person in walking speed or length of stride.
"The young scientist's discoveries outstrided those of many of her established colleagues."
"Her record-breaking performance outstrided every rival in the championship."
"The engineers quickly outstripped the original timetable for completing the bridge."
Outstride begins with the image of taking a longer stride, but its figurative sense is about doing more and going further than others.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does outstride come from?
Outstride is a 19th-century English compound formed from out and stride. The older element stride comes from Old English strīdan, meaning 'to stride, walk with long steps,' and is related cognately to astride and bestride. In outstride, the prefix out- developed the sense of surpassing or going beyond, giving the word its modern figurative meaning of excelling or outdoing.
Related word forms
How outstride is actually used
This verb is formal and relatively uncommon. It is especially effective in literary, academic, or competitive contexts, though its literal sense concerning walking is also possible.
Easily confused with outstride
Both mean to exceed or surpass, but outstrip more often suggests a substantial advantage, while outstride can retain the idea of taking the longer or faster stride.
Overstride means to stride across or over something, whereas outstride means to exceed another person or achievement.