outlive
Americanverb (used with object)
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to live longer than; survive (a person, period, etc.).
She outlived her husband by many years.
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to outlast; live or last through.
The ship outlived the storm. He hopes to outlive the stigma of his imprisonment.
verb
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to live longer than (someone)
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to live beyond (a date or period)
he outlived the century
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to live through (an experience)
Related Words
See survive.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of outlive
First recorded in 1425–75, outlive is from the late Middle English word outliven. See out-, live 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
If you outlive the term, you may be able to extend coverage, but the premiums will rise sharply, because the policy converts to annually renewable rates.
From MarketWatch • May 6, 2026
You once said that buildings you develop outlive you and go on to define a city.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026
"The diplomatic relationship between USA and South Africa predate the Trump administration and they will outlive the current White House term of office."
From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026
You are two years older than your wife, and women tend to outlive men by around five to six years.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 17, 2026
“And she’ll outlive us all, little tiny thing that she is.”
From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
