outsmart
UK[ˌaʊtˈsmɑːt]US[ˌaʊtˈsmɑːrt]
v
to gain an advantage over someone by using clever or cunning methods.
v
to defeat or get the better of someone through superior intelligence or strategy.
Morpheme Breakdown
out
smart
out
surpass
smart
clever
Etymology
the word 'outsmart' is a relatively modern english compound, formed in the 19th century by combining the adverb/preposition 'out,' with its sense of surpassing or exceeding, and the adjective 'smart,' which had evolved from its old english meaning of causing sharp pain to signify quick-witted intelligence. the logic is transparently literal: to be more clever than an opponent. this formation follows a common pattern in english where 'out-' is prefixed to verbs (outrun, outlast) or adjectives to create a sense of superiority. the semantic journey reflects a shift from physical pain to mental acuity, culminating in a verb describing intellectual one-upmanship.
Analysis
Structure: out (surpass) + smart (clever)
- out: old english origin, meaning "beyond, away, more than," functioning as an intensifying or surpassing prefix.
- smart: old english origin (smeortan), meaning "to cause pain, to be painful," later evolving to mean "quick, active, clever, intelligent." in this compound, it functions as the base meaning "clever."
Examples
the smaller army managed to outsmart the larger force with a clever tactical diversion.
she always tries to outsmart her opponents in chess by thinking several moves ahead.
the seasoned detective was outsmarted by the criminal's elaborate ruse.