outstay

[out-stey]

verb (used with object)

1. to stay longer than.

2. to stay beyond the time or duration of; overstay.

   to outstay one's welcome.

outstay

/ ˌaʊtˈsteɪ /

verb

1. to stay longer than

2. to stay beyond (a limit)

3. See overstay

Word History and Origins

Origin of outstay¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; out- + stay ¹

Example Sentences

"It was a hard choice for William, but he saw it right. He thought this horse would see out the mile trip and he outstayed them," said Appleby.

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"The worst thing you can do with a comedy is to outstay your welcome."

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Southgate may have sensed it himself as he talked of “not outstaying my welcome” before a Nations League meeting with Hungary at Molineux.

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Because I am constantly looking for reasons to get rid of old things, old ways of thinking and being that have outstayed their usefulness, I’m drawn to spring cleaning as an annual rite.

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Or lead her to conclude, given the at best tepid public support of her colleagues, that she has outstayed her welcome.

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Related Words

• continue 
• delay 
• hang 
• last 
• linger 
• remain 
• reside 
• settle 
• stand 
• stick around 
• stop