What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
outplay
Example
The home team outplayed their opponents in the second half of the game. [outplayed: verb]
Example
She was able to outplay her opponent by anticipating their moves. [outplay: verb]
outdo
Example
He always tries to outdo his colleagues by working longer hours. [outdo: verb]
Example
She was able to outdo her previous performance by setting a new personal record. [outdo: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Outdo is more commonly used than outplay in everyday language. Outdo is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while outplay is less common and is mainly used in sports or game-related contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between outplay and outdo?
Both outplay and outdo are relatively informal words and can be used in casual conversations. However, outdo may be slightly more formal due to its wider range of usage.
