outdraw

American  

[out-draw] / ˌaʊtˈdrɔ /

verb (used with object)

outdrew, outdrawn, outdrawing

1. to draw a gun, revolver, etc., from a holster, faster than (an opponent or competitor).

   She could outdraw any member of the club.

2. to prove a greater attraction than; exceed in attracting an audience, patrons, attention, etc..

   She outdraws all male stars at the box office.

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Etymology

Origin of outdraw

First recorded in 1905–10; out- + draw

Explanation

In a classic Old West showdown, one gunslinger would typically outdraw the other, and he would be the winner. In other words, he would pull his gun from its holster faster and live to tell the story. People sometimes also use the verb outdraw to mean "attract a larger crowd" — like the World Series might outdraw your favorite prime-time game show. The word draw has been used since around 1200 to mean "pull a gun out," and its Old English root dragan means "to drag or carry." And somewhere along the way, draw started to mean "attraction" — like the goody bags at the end of a birthday party are a big draw.

Example Sentences

Put Joshua and Fury almost anywhere - their strongholds of Watford or Morecambe, or Wembley Stadium - and it would still outdraw most fights on the planet.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

Not even a bunch of bishops covering “Mean Girls” can outdraw Blake Lively.

From Salon • May 10, 2025

While the Super Bowl continues to lead championship viewing - this year’s game had a combined audience of 112.3 million - the World Cup final did outdraw other sports.

From Washington Times • Dec. 20, 2022

While the Super Bowl continues to lead championship viewing — this year’s game had a combined audience of 112.3 million — the World Cup final did outdraw other sports.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 20, 2022

But, in spite of the differences, he would have laughed at anyone who had told him, five minutes before, that he couldn't outdraw a man who was standing with his back turned.

From Anything You Can Do! by Garrett, Randall