outspend
Meaning
to spend more money than someone or something else
to spend beyond a certain limit or budget
Structure
Usage
the incumbent candidate is expected to vastly outspend his challenger in the upcoming election.
to win the contract, we cannot afford to outspend our largest competitor, so we must be more strategic.
many consumers outspend their monthly budgets during the holiday season.
Etymology
the word "outspend" is a transparent compound formed within english from the native prefix "out-" and the verb "spend." the prefix "out-," deriving from old english "ūt," carries the core sense of "beyond" or "externally," and when combined with verbs, it often denotes surpassing or exceeding. the verb "spend" entered old english from latin "expendere" (to weigh out, pay out) via a germanic adaptation. the literal combination, "to spend beyond," logically evolved into its modern abstract meanings of exceeding another in expenditure or surpassing a financial limit. this pattern of using "out-" to form verbs of surpassing is a productive feature in english word formation.
Analysis
- out: old english origin, a prefix meaning "beyond, to a greater degree, or surpassing." - spend: old english origin (from latin 'expendere'), a verb meaning "to pay out or expend money."