vie

[vahy]

verb (used without object), vied, vy·ing.

to strive in competition or rivalry with another; contend for superiority: Swimmers from many nations were vying for the title.

verb (used with object), vied, vy·ing.

Archaic. to put forward in competition or rivalry.

Obsolete. to stake in card playing.

Origin of vie

1525–35; by aphesis < Middle French envier to raise the stake (at cards), Old French: to challenge, provoke < Latin invītāre to entertain, invite

Related formsvi·er, nounout·vie, verb (used with object), out·vied, out·vy·ing.

Synonyms for vie

1. compete, contest, struggle.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for outvying

overstep, eclipse, transform, outstrip, imitate, mimic, mirror, exceed, beat, top, excel, better, outshine, outdo, best, outvie, overtop, outrival, contend, do

Examples from the Web for outvying

Historical Examples of outvying

So the papers went on, outvying each other in enthusiastic grief.
Buried Alive: A Tale of These Days
Arnold Bennett
Thenceforward he went through transformation after transformation, outvying the legendary chameleon.
The Matador of the Five Towns and Other Stories
Arnold Bennett
Gambling houses here are outvying in richness, and utter wantonness of wasted expense, anything yet seen in America.
The Little Lady of Lagunitas
Richard Henry Savage
The din was deafening, the cries of Christian and Mussulman outvying the roar of musketry.
Boris the Bear-Hunter
Fred Whishaw

British Dictionary definitions for outvying

vie

verb vies, vying or vied

(intr; foll by with or for) to contend for superiority or victory (with) or strive in competition (for)

(tr) archaic to offer, exchange, or display in rivalry

Derived Formsvier, nounvying, adjective, noun

Word Origin for vie

C15: probably from Old French envier to challenge, from Latin invītāre to invite

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

Word Origin and History for outvying

vie

1560s, shortened form of Middle English envie "make a challenge," from Old French envier, from Latin invitare (see invite).