Try Our Apps
Dictionary.com

follow Dictionary.com

90s Slang You Should Know

surpass

[ser-pas, -pahs] /sərˈpæs, -ˈpɑs/
verb (used with object)
1.
to go beyond in amount, extent, or degree; be greater than; exceed.
2.
to go beyond in excellence or achievement; be superior to; excel:
He surpassed his brother in sports.
3.
to be beyond the range or capacity of; transcend:
misery that surpasses description.
Origin of surpass
Middle French
1545-1555
1545-55; < Middle French surpasser, equivalent to sur- sur-1 + passer to pass
Related forms
surpassable, adjective
surpasser, noun
unsurpassable, adjective
unsurpassed, adjective
Synonyms
2. beat, outstrip. See excel.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2017.
Cite This Source
Examples from the Web for surpassable
Historical Examples
British Dictionary definitions for surpassable

surpass

/sɜːˈpɑːs/
verb (transitive)
1.
to be greater than in degree, extent, etc
2.
to be superior to in achievement or excellence
3.
to overstep the limit or range of: the theory surpasses my comprehension
Derived Forms
surpassable, adjective
Word Origin
C16: from French surpasser, from sur-1 + passer to pass
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Cite This Source
Word Origin and History for surpassable

surpass

v.

1550s, from Middle French surpasser "go beyond, exceed, excel," from Old French sur- "beyond" (see sur-) + passer "to go by" (see pass (v.)). Related: Surpassed; surpassing.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source

Word of the Day

Difficulty index for surpass

Some English speakers likely know this word

Word Value for surpassable

0
19
Scrabble Words With Friends

Related Word

Nearby words for surpassable

We’ve updated our TOS and Privacy Policy. Click Here.