The word "outnumbered" is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription /aʊtˈnʌmbərd/. The first syllable is pronounced with the same sound as "out" and the second syllable is pronounced with the same sound as "numb". The "-er" ending is pronounced as ərd which is similar to the sound of the word "word". The word means to have a greater number than someone or something else. With its spelling and pronunciation, "outnumbered" conveys a sense of superiority in terms of size or quantity.
Outnumbered is an adjective that describes a situation or group in which one set or category surpasses or exceeds the quantity or magnitude of another. It refers to being in a numerical minority compared to others. When one group is outnumbered by another, there are more individuals or elements in the dominating group than in the subordinate one. The term "outnumbered" can be applied to a wide range of scenarios, such as military battles, voting processes, or simple comparisons of quantities.
In military contexts, it suggests that the opposing force or army has a larger number of soldiers, giving them a potential advantage. It implies that the outnumbered group may face difficulties or challenges due to a lack of manpower. In democratic processes, being outnumbered can illustrate the lack of support for a particular viewpoint or party if the opposing side has more votes or representatives.
Furthermore, "outnumbered" can also be used to express being overwhelmed or overpowered in non-quantitative situations. For instance, in a verbal argument or debate, someone may feel outnumbered if they find themselves in disagreement with numerous individuals and face pressure from the majority. It suggests a situation where the opposing voices or opinions are more influential, creating a sense of being overwhelmed or having reduced influence.
* 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 "outnumbered" consists of two parts: "out-" and "numbered".
The prefix "out-" is a common English prefix used to indicate "beyond" or "more than". It is derived from the Old English word "ūt", meaning "outside" or "away". Over time, the prefix "ūt" evolved into "out-", which retains its original meaning in words like "outside" or "outdoors".
The second part, "numbered", is the past participle of the verb "number". The verb "number" originates from the Latin word "numerare", which means "to count" or "to reckon". In English, "number" refers to the act of counting or assigning a numerical value to something.
When combined, "outnumbered" implies a situation where one group or thing exceeds or surpasses the count or quantity of another group or thing.