The word "outnumbers" is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription /aʊtˈnʌmbərz/. The word consists of two parts: "out" and "numbers". The stress falls on the second syllable, as indicated by the acute accent over the "u". The "ou" diphthong makes the vowel sound /aʊ/, followed by the consonants /t/, /n/, /ʌ/, /m/, /b/, and /ərz/, which are pronounced consecutively. The word means that something exceeds or is greater in number compared to something else.
The term "outnumbers" is a verb that refers to a situation where one quantity or group exceeds or surpasses another in number, typically by a significant or notable margin. It characterizes a scenario in which the count or tally of one entity is greater or more plentiful than another within a given context or comparison.
When used in a dictionary definition, "outnumbers" would be described as an action or process of overtopping or outweighing another quantity in terms of numerical representation. It suggests an imbalance or disparity in numbers, indicating that one group or set significantly prevails or dominates over the other. For example, suppose there are two teams competing against each other in a sports match, Team A and Team B. If Team A has ten players while Team B has only five players, one could say that Team A "outnumbers" Team B by a ratio of two to one.
Furthermore, "outnumbers" can also denote a comparison of quantities or figures without necessarily requiring a specific ratio. It signifies a situation where one group has a greater number or count when compared to another, regardless of the specific numerical difference. Therefore, the term "outnumbers" highlights the concept of numerical superiority or excessiveness, illustrating a condition where one entity outstrips another in terms of quantity.
The word "outnumbers" is derived from the combination of two words: "out" and "number".
The word "number" can be traced back to the Old French word "nombre", which came from the Latin word "numerus". "Numerus" originally meant "a quantity" or "count", and its origin is uncertain, though some theories suggest it may have derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*nem-" meaning "to assign" or "take".
The word "out" originated from the Old English word "ūt", which meant "outside", "away", or "beyond". It has its roots in the Proto-Germanic word "*ūt", and can further be related to the Proto-Indo-European root "*ud-" or "*ūd-", meaning "up", "out", or "upwards".