Outshine

Outshine is a verb meaning to be more brilliant or conspicuously bright, or to surpass someone or something in quality, achievement, or prominence. It can describe both literal illumination and figurative excellence.

The word is formed from the prefix out- meaning “to surpass” and the noun shine. It is attested in English from the early modern period.

It is a transitive verb that takes a direct object, as in “The new lamp outshines the old one,” or “The athlete outshone the competition.” In figurative use, it commonly appears with people or performances, for example, “She outshines her colleagues” or “His performance outshone expectations.” The phrase “to outshine oneself” means to surpass one’s previous best effort.

Notes: The choice of outshine often emphasizes conspicuous superiority and can carry a neutral or positive tone, depending on context. Related terms include outdo, surpass, and eclipse; antonyms include fade or dim. In everyday use, outshine commonly conveys both a literal brightness and a metaphorical excellence that stands out relative to others.