outnumber

American  

[out-nuhm-ber] / ˌaʊtˈnʌm bər /

verb (used with object)

1. to exceed in number.

---

outnumber British  

/ ˌaʊtˈnʌmbə /

verb

1. (tr) to exceed in number

---

Etymology

Origin of outnumber

First recorded in 1660–70; out- + number

Explanation

To outnumber is to have more of one thing than another. Sometimes it’s good, like when chocolate chips outnumber the raisins in the trail mix. Sometimes it’s bad, like when ants outnumber the people at a picnic. In many cities, pigeons seem to outnumber any other kind of bird — in other words, there are more pigeons than sparrows, crows, and robins. If the girls in a class outnumber boys by three to one, there are three times more girls than boys. And in a school cafeteria, lunches that include meat will often outnumber the vegetarian choices. This verb has been around since the 1600s. It makes it sound like counting is a competition.

Example Sentences

And it appears poised to get wider still, with the Education Department projecting that women earning bachelor’s degrees in the current academic year will outnumber men by nearly 40%.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2026

If predictions turn out to be true, in a few years agents will proliferate to the point where they outnumber people on enterprise networks.

From Barron's • May 8, 2026

New highs continue to outnumber new lows on the New York Stock Exchange, so this indicator remains bullish.

From MarketWatch • May 8, 2026

“A move below that level would mark the first time since the pandemic recovery that job seekers outnumber available positions.”

From Barron's • May 5, 2026

They outnumber us two to one, but we’ve still got six original members of the Star Squad, who aren’t trying to run and shoot at the same time.

From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins

Related Words

• exceed