What is outdo? Pronunciation and usage in English

outdo means . Learn how to pronounce and use outdo through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of outdo

outdoverb

/ˌaʊtˈduː//ˌaʊtˈduː/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "outdo." It's a tricky one because it's not always pronounced exactly like you might expect it to be.

Here's the most common and accepted pronunciation:

** /ˈaʊtˌdoʊ/ **

Let's break that down:

  • ˈaʊt - This sounds like "out" as in "out of" – a short, open "uh" sound.
  • ˌdoʊ - This sounds like "doe" (the animal) – a short, unstressed "oh" sound. It’s a very quick, light sound.

Putting it together: “Out-doe”

Tips for sounding right:

  • Don't stress the "do" part. It's a very short, quick syllable.
  • Focus on the "out" sound. That’s the main part of the word.

You can also hear it pronounced here:

  • Google: Search "how to pronounce outdo" on Google and you’ll hear audio examples.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/outdo/ - This site has pronunciations from native speakers.

Do you want me to:

  • Explain a slightly different, less common pronunciation (although it's not standard)?
  • Give you some example sentences using the word "outdo"?

Usage and examples with the word outdo in English

Let's break down how to use the word "outdo" in English. It's a versatile word with a few different nuances, but generally it means to surpass or excel at something. Here’s a detailed explanation with examples:

1. Basic Meaning: To Surpass or Excel

  • Core Idea: "Outdo" means to do something better than someone or something else. It implies a competitive element, but it doesn't always have to be about competition.
  • Structure: Outdo [someone/something] [by doing something]
  • Examples:
    • "The new restaurant quickly outdid its rival in terms of customer satisfaction." (Better than the rival)
    • "She outdid her own previous record time in the race." (Better than her own past performance)
    • "The company's profits outdided expectations this quarter." (Higher than expected)

2. More Formal Usage (Often with "excel")

  • You'll often see "outdo" used with the word "excel." This strengthens the meaning of surpassing in a more impressive way.
  • Example: "He outdid himself with his brilliant presentation." (He did something exceptionally well, surpassing what he’s capable of.)
  • Example: “The team outdid expectations by winning the championship.” (They performed exceptionally well, exceeding the anticipated result.)

3. Less Common, More Figurative Use (To Impress or Delight)

  • Sometimes, "outdo" can suggest pleasing or impressing someone, though this is less frequent. It suggests going above and beyond to provide a delightful experience.
  • Example: "The chef outdid himself with the elaborate dessert." (The dessert was exceptionally impressive and delightful - a generous effort)

Key Differences & Related Words:

  • Outdo vs. Outperform: "Outperform" is often a more direct and straightforward synonym, especially when talking about competition or measurable results. “Outdo” often carries a slightly more elegant or celebratory tone.
  • Outstrip: This word is also similar – it means to surpass or exceed, often in terms of speed or progress.
  • Surpass: This is a very close synonym.
  • Exceed: Similar to surpass, but focuses more on going beyond a set limit.

Here’s a table summarizing the usage:

Usage Meaning Example
Basic To surpass/excel "He outdid his colleague with the report."
Formal (with “excel”) To excel greatly “She outdid herself in the performance.”
Figurative To impress/delight “The host outdid us with the party.”

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • In what context are you thinking of using “outdo”? (e.g., sports, business, personal achievements, creative endeavors?)

Synonyms for the word outdo

Practice with vocabulary outdo

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The engineering team worked tirelessly to ______ their previous record in energy efficiency.
  2. Although he tried his best, John couldn't ______ his colleagues' performance in the sales competition last quarter.
  3. To succeed in this highly competitive market, companies must continuously innovate and ______ customer expectations.
  4. After weeks of intense negotiation, the management finally managed to ______ the main obstacles to the merger.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. The company's R&D department consistently strives to ______ its competitors in technological innovation. a) imitate b) outdo c) copy d) emulate
  2. Despite their financial limitations, the small startup managed to ______ their rivals' product launch with a more effective marketing campaign. a) overshadow b) accomplish c) outdo d) overwhelm
  3. The project manager encouraged her team members to ______ each other, fostering a healthy competitive spirit within the department. a) cooperate b) collaborate c) outdo d) understand
  4. To ensure the success of the new initiative, we must ______ all necessary resources and personnel. a) allocate b) distribute c) outshine d) exceed
  5. The architect aimed to ______ the structural integrity of the bridge without compromising its aesthetic appeal. a) amplify b) improve c) optimize d) outplay

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The new software update performs better than any previous version, offering superior speed and reliability. Rewrite the sentence using "outdo" or a related word form.
  2. During the annual sales competition, Sarah always aims to achieve higher results than her colleagues. Rewrite the sentence using "outdo" or a related word form.
  3. His remarkable research contributions have placed him at a significantly higher level than his peers in the field. Rewrite the sentence, but do not use "outdo" or any related word form.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. outdo
  2. outdo
  3. exceed (or surpass)
  4. overcome (or resolve)

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) outdo, d) emulate
  2. a) overshadow, c) outdo
  3. c) outdo
  4. a) allocate, b) distribute
  5. b) improve, c) optimize

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The new software update outdoes any previous version, offering superior speed and reliability.
  2. During the annual sales competition, Sarah always aims to outdo her colleagues.
  3. His remarkable research contributions have surpassed those of his peers in the field. (or: His remarkable research contributions have elevated him significantly above his peers in the field.)

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