Word part · Anglo-Saxon prefix
Prefix out- words: meaning and 18 examples
In short
The Anglo-Saxon prefix out- (from Old English) means "outside, or better than". Words with it include outdoor, outdoors, outrun, outgrow, outnumber and outsmart. In outdoor it means outside; in outrun it means do better than someone else.
- Part
- out-
- Meaning
- outside, or better than
- Origin
- Anglo-Saxon
- Words listed
- 18
In outdoor it means outside; in outrun it means do better than someone else. Both readings keep the base whole.
Words with the Anglo-Saxon prefix out-
The list runs from shorter, common words to longer ones. The bands are a rough guide built from syllable count and how common each word is in our word list, not a grade-level standard. Read each word, then its word sum.
Colors:prefixroot or basesuffix
Start here: short, common words (about grades 3 and 4)
More words: outcome, outline, outlook
Next: longer words (about grades 5 and 6)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| outrun | out (prefix)+run (root or base)→outrun | run faster than someone |
| outnumber | out (prefix)+number (root or base)→outnumber | be more in number than another group |
| outsmarted | out (prefix)+smart (root or base)+ed (suffix)→outsmarted | was smarter than someone in the past |
| outshine | out (prefix)+shine (root or base)→outshine | shine brighter or do better than others |
| outscore | out (prefix)+score (root or base)→outscore | score more points than another team |
| outlive | out (prefix)+live (root or base)→outlive | live longer than someone |
Stretch: long or less common words (about grades 7 and 8)
| Word | Word sum | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| outdoor | out (prefix)+door (root or base)→outdoor | outside, not in a building |
| outdoors | out (prefix)+door (root or base)+s (suffix)→outdoors | outside, in the open air |
| outgrow | out (prefix)+grow (root or base)→outgrow | grow too big for something |
| outsmart | out (prefix)+smart (root or base)→outsmart | be smarter than someone |
| outlast | out (prefix)+last (root or base)→outlast | last longer than something else |
| outburst | out (prefix)+burst (root or base)→outburst | a sudden burst of feeling |
| outfield | out (prefix)+field (root or base)→outfield | the part of a ball field far from home plate |
More words: outcast, outgrew
How do you teach the prefix out-?
Out- has two meanings, and the base tells you which one. In outdoor, outfield and outburst it means outside or outward. In outrun, outsmart and outlast it means better than or more than someone else. Students enjoy the second meaning because the words are about winning. Teach the outside meaning first, then flip to the beating meaning and compare.
A quick routine
Ask, "If I outrun you, who won the race?" The student says, "You did." Say, "Out can mean better than. Now listen: outdoor. Is that better than a door?" The student laughs and says, "No, outside." Sort eight cards into outside and better than. Then dictate outsmart and outfield.
What do students mix up with out-?
Out sits in many words without being a prefix: route, trout, shout, scout, about. Check the front of the word and take out off; a word should be left. Throughout and without have out at the end, which makes them compounds rather than out- words. Keep the sort to words that start with out.
For the sounds inside these words, see the phonics word lists. Routines that fit: meanings of prefixes and suffixes, circle the parts, read the base and flexible routine for big words.
Questions people ask
What does the prefix out- mean?
Out- means "outside, or better than". It is a Anglo-Saxon prefix. In outdoor it means outside; in outrun it means do better than someone else. Both readings keep the base whole.
What are some words with the prefix out-?
Start with outcome, outline and outlook. Then move to outrun, outnumber, outdoor and outdoors. This page lists 18 words in all, most with a word sum that shows the parts.
Is outcome a prefix word?
Yes. It is out plus come: what comes out of an event. It uses the outward meaning. Outline and outlook work the same way.
Related word parts
- ex-out
- over-too much, or above
- under-below, or too little
- super-above, over, or more than usual
- mid-middle
Terms on this page: morpheme, root, prefix, suffix, base word, word sum, morphology.
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