How Do You Spell OUTFLANK?

Pronunciation: [a͡ʊtflˈaŋk] (IPA)

Outflank is a verb that means to get around an opponent's flank in a military context or to surpass or exceed in business or any other endeavor. Its pronunciation is /aʊtˈflæŋk/, which can be broken down into two syllables: "out" pronounced as /aʊt/ and "flank" pronounced as /flæŋk/. The stress is placed on the first syllable "out." The spelling of outflank follows the typical English spelling pattern with "ou" representing the diphthong /aʊ/ and "a" representing the short /æ/ sound.

OUTFLANK Meaning and Definition

1. Outflank is a verb that refers to the strategic maneuver of surpassing or enveloping an opponent's flank in military operations. When a military force outflanks its enemy, it moves swiftly and effectively around the side or rear of the opposing force, creating a tactical advantage by positioning itself in a more favorable position. This maneuver is commonly applied to encircle the enemy, cutting off their lines of communication or escape routes.

   Metaphorically, the term outflank can also be used in non-military contexts to describe gaining an advantage or taking a different approach that allows someone to surpass or surpassing their opponent or competition. For instance, in a business setting, a company might outflank its competitors by introducing a new product or service that fulfills a market demand not yet addressed, securing a larger customer base. This figurative usage implies outsmarting or circumventing a competitor's tactics or strategies to gain a more advantageous position.

   In summary, outflank is a term that primarily pertains to military operations, describing a tactical maneuver involving surpassing or enveloping the side or rear of an enemy. However, it is also commonly used metaphorically to denote surpassing or outmaneuvering a competitor or opponent in non-military situations.

2. To extend a line of battle beyond that of another.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for OUTFLANK

• outflak
• outflanc
• outflyns

Etymology of OUTFLANK

The word "outflank" originated from late 16th century English and has a combination of two distinct root words: "out" and "flank".

The term "out" comes from Old English "ūt", which means "outside" or "away from the center". It has roots in Germanic and Indo-European languages.

The word "flank" comes from the Old French word "flanche", which means "side". "Flanche" can be traced back to the Late Latin word "flancus", meaning "side" or "flank".

When these two words combine, "out" refers to moving outside or beyond something, and "flank" refers to the side of an object or formation. The compound word "outflank" thus means "to surpass or encircle the enemy by moving beyond or around their side". It is most commonly used in military contexts to describe a tactical maneuver.

Similar spelling words for OUTFLANK

• outfall,
• outflow,
• outplay,
• outbalance.

Conjugate verb Outflank

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have outflanked

you would have outflanked

he/she/it would have outflanked

we would have outflanked

they would have outflanked

I would have outflank

you would have outflank

he/she/it would have outflank

we would have outflank

they would have outflank

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been outflanking

you would have been outflanking

he/she/it would have been outflanking

we would have been outflanking

they would have been outflanking

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would outflank

you would outflank

he/she/it would outflank

we would outflank

they would outflank

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be outflanking

you would be outflanking

he/she/it would be outflanking

we would be outflanking

they would be outflanking

FUTURE

I will outflank

you will outflank

he/she/it will outflank

we will outflank

they will outflank

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be outflanking

you will be outflanking

he/she/it will be outflanking

we will be outflanking

they will be outflanking

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have outflanked

you will have outflanked

he/she/it will have outflanked

we will have outflanked

they will have outflanked

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been outflanking

you will have been outflanking

he/she/it will have been outflanking

we will have been outflanking

they will have been outflanking

IMPERATIVE

you outflank

we let´s outflank

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to outflank

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was outflanking

you were outflanking

he/she/it was outflanking

we were outflanking

they were outflanking

PAST PARTICIPLE

outflanked

PAST PERFECT

I had outflanked

you had outflanked

he/she/it had outflanked

we had outflanked

they had outflanked

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been outflanking

you had been outflanking

he/she/it had been outflanking

we had been outflanking

they had been outflanking

PRESENT

I outflank

you outflank

he/she/it outflanks

we outflank

they outflank

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am outflanking

you are outflanking

he/she/it is outflanking

we are outflanking

they are outflanking

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

outflanking

PRESENT PERFECT

I have outflanked

you have outflanked

he/she/it has outflanked

we have outflanked

they have outflanked

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been outflanking

you have been outflanking

he/she/it has been outflanking

we have been outflanking

they have been outflanking

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it outflank

SIMPLE PAST

I outflanked

you outflanked

he/she/it outflanked

we outflanked

they outflanked