outlast

Everyday

1. To last longer than something else: to keep going or keep working after the other has stopped. tree →
2. To stay alive or stay in a contest longer than someone else. tree →

In the lessons

In stories a hero may outlast a storm or outlast an enemy by not giving up. In science, one battery can outlast another; in sport, a runner can outlast the others in a long race. It tells the reader about patience, strength or lasting quality. Often followed by an object: outlast the storm, outlast the others.

Examples

• These new batteries outlast the cheap ones by hours. tree →
• The little boat outlasted the storm. tree →
• She outlasted every other speller in the spelling bee. tree →
• Good boots will outlast a pair of trainers. tree →
• The old oak tree has outlasted three houses on this street. tree →
• Can you outlast me in a staring contest? tree →
• The castle walls outlasted the long siege. tree →

Note

Regular verb: outlast, outlasted. Made from out- ("more than") + last ("keep going"). It needs an object: you outlast something or someone. In maths, if toy A lasts 5 hours and toy B lasts 3 hours, toy A outlasts toy B by 2 hours (a difference, so subtract).