Outnumber is a verb that means to exceed in number or be more numerous than something or someone. The spelling of this word can be explained through its IPA phonetic transcription: /aʊtˈnʌmbər/. The first syllable 'out' is pronounced as a diphthong /aʊ/ and is followed by /t/ and a short vowel /ʌ/ in the second syllable 'num'. The third syllable 'ber' is pronounced as /bər/ with a schwa sound. The stress falls on the second syllable /ˈnʌmbər/.
The verb "outnumber" is defined as the act of exceeding in number or surpassing in quantity. It refers to the situation where one group or thing has a larger quantity or greater number of individuals compared to another group or thing. The adjective "outnumbered" can also be used to describe the condition of being in a numerical minority or having fewer individuals than another group.
When used in a sentence, "outnumber" typically implies that one group or thing has more individuals or a higher quantity than the other, creating an imbalance in the comparison. For example, "The enemy soldiers outnumbered our troops, which put us at a disadvantage in the battle." In this scenario, the enemy soldiers had a greater number, giving them an advantage over the speaker's troops.
The term "outnumber" can be used in a wide range of contexts, such as discussing population demographics, political representation, or even everyday situations like comparing the number of items or people. It highlights the asymmetry in numbers between two groups or things, emphasizing the higher quantity possessed by one group or thing over the other.
Overall, "outnumber" serves as a descriptive verb that quantitatively compares two groups or things, highlighting the disparity in numbers and emphasizing which group or thing has a greater quantity or larger population.
To exceed in number.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "outnumber" has its origins in Middle English and can be broken down into two parts: "out" and "number".
The prefix "out" comes from Old English "ūt", meaning "outside" or "beyond". It has retained its meaning throughout the evolution of the English language.
The word "number" originates from the Latin word "numerus", meaning "number" or "sum". This Latin root has been borrowed and adapted into various languages, including English.
Therefore, when combined, "outnumber" literally means "to exceed in quantity or number".