Surpassing is a word with a spelling that does not entirely follow traditional English phonetic rules. It is pronounced /səˈpæsɪŋ/ - the first syllable "sur" is pronounced with a schwa sound, while the "passing" is pronounced with the normal "s" and "ing" sounds. The "u" in surpassing is silent, so the emphasis is on the second syllable, "pass". Despite its unique spelling, surpassing is commonly used to describe something that exceeds or goes beyond expectations or capabilities, making it a powerful word in the English language.
Surpassing is an adjective that describes something or someone that exceeds or goes beyond expectations, measures, or limits. It refers to the act or quality of being superior, outstanding, or exceptional in comparison to others or previously set standards. This term is commonly used to express the idea of going above and beyond what is considered average, usual, or adequate.
When applied to a person's abilities, skills, or performance, surpassing implies that the individual is exceptionally talented, capable, or successful, particularly in relation to others or previous achievements. It suggests that this person has achieved a level of excellence that distinguishes them from the norm or the average.
In terms of accomplishments, surpassing refers to achievements or successes that are unusually excellent, remarkable, or extraordinary. These accomplishments stand out from the crowd by virtue of their quality, scale, or impact, often pushing boundaries and leading the way in their respective fields.
Additionally, surpassing can also describe the process or act of exceeding or surpassing a certain limit, expectation, or benchmark. It signifies going beyond established parameters, breaking barriers, or reaching higher levels of achievement.
Overall, surpassing encapsulates the notion of surpassing others, set standards, or previous achievements. It signifies excellence, exceptionalism, and outstanding performance that distinguishes someone or something from the average and places them at the forefront in their field.
Excellent in an eminent degree; exceeding others.
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 "surpassing" originated from the Middle English term "surpassen", which was derived from the Old French word "surpasser". In turn, "surpasser" came from the Latin word "superpassare", a combination of "super" (meaning "above" or "beyond") and "passus" (meaning "step" or "pace"). Therefore, the etymology of "surpassing" traces back to the meaning of going beyond or exceeding a certain limit or expectation.