Outclass

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /aʊtˈklæs/

Definitions

1. To greatly exceed someone or something in ability, skill, or quality
2. To perform or be significantly better than others in a particular area or activity
3. To be clearly superior to others in excellence or competence

Etymology: "Outclass" is a plain compound: the prefix "out-" joined to "class." The surprise lies in the second part. "Class" comes from Latin "classis," which meant a division of the Roman people, especially the groups summoned for military service and taxed according to property, and later a fleet or a rank of persons. From that sense of ranking comes the modern idea of a grade or category. The prefix "out-" is an old Germanic element with the sense of "beyond" or "further than," which is why it can mean to exceed or surpass. Put it in front of "class" and the result is to go beyond a rank, leaving rivals in a lower grade than oneself. The verb is therefore a fairly transparent coinage, built from two well-established parts.

Synonyms: surpass, outperform, exceed

Antonyms: fail, underperform