What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
outclass
Example
The new restaurant's food outclasses all the other restaurants in town. [outclasses: verb]
Example
Her singing outclassed everyone else in the competition. [outclassed: past tense]
outshine
Example
Her beauty outshone everyone else at the party. [outshone: past tense]
Example
The athlete's performance outshined his competitors in the race. [outshined: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Outshine is more commonly used than outclass in everyday language. Outshine is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while outclass is less common and is typically used in more formal or competitive contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between outclass and outshine?
Outclass is more formal than outshine. It is often used in academic or professional settings to describe a situation where one person or thing is superior to others. Outshine, on the other hand, is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
