To outperform means to do better than someone or something else, often by a noticeable amount. When a student outperforms her classmates on a science project, she earns a higher grade through superior work. When one company's stock outperforms another's, it gains more value for investors.

The word emphasizes comparison and results. A basketball team might outperform expectations by winning far more games than experts predicted. A new phone model might outperform older versions by running faster and lasting longer on a single charge.

You'll often hear outperform in contexts where performance can be measured: test scores, sales figures, athletic records, or business results. A relay team that practices diligently might outperform teams with more natural talent. An experimental medicine that outperforms existing treatments works better at helping patients recover.

The word carries a sense of achievement through genuine ability or effort. When something or someone outperforms, they deliver measurably better results through skill, preparation, or superior qualities. It's the difference between barely beating someone and leaving no doubt about who did better.