What does outnumber mean?
Word: Outnumber
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Outnumber means to be greater in number than another group: in our class, girls outnumber boys.
How do you spell outnumber?
Syllables: out - num - ber
Tricky part: Pupils sometimes write outnumbar or outnumbur because the last part is said so softly; the spelling is -ber.
Watch out for: outnumbar, outnumbur
Memory tip: It ends just like September, October, November and December.
Outnumber in a sentence
Example 1: At the bird sanctuary, the flamingos outnumber the visitors by hundreds to one.
Example 2: In our building, cats outnumber dogs, so the dogs keep very quiet.
Example 3: Mango trees outnumber all the other trees in my grandfather's orchard.
Fun Fact
Scientists estimate that insects outnumber people on Earth by more than a million to one.
Practise the CREST Way
Sound Check
Which word does not rhyme with the others?
a) slumber
b) plumber
c) outnumber
d) lumber
Show answer
b) plumber. The b in plumber is silent; the other three all keep the b sound.
Word Champ
Choose the correct word for the blank:
On sports day, the visiting parents usually ___ the pupils by almost two to one, so extra chairs have to be brought out.
a) outnumber
b) outgrow
c) outrun
d) outshine
Show answer
a) outnumber. Two to one is about how many people there are, and only this word compares numbers.
Spell Spies
Choose the pair which has a spelling error:
a) outnumber : outnumberred
b) overtake : overtook
c) outrun : outran
d) undergo : underwent
Show answer
a) outnumber : outnumberred. Adding -ed to this word does not double the r, because the stress is not on the last part.
Jumble Tumble
What is the meaning of the word that can be formed from the given letters?
brunetmou
a) to become too big for something
b) to be much better than others at something
c) to have more members than another side
d) to run faster than somebody
Show answer
c) to have more members than another side. These letters spell outnumber, which is about how many, not speed, size or skill.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. In a class of 30, boys outnumber girls. Which could be true?
a) 15 boys and 15 girls
b) 12 boys and 18 girls
c) 10 boys and 20 girls
d) 18 boys and 12 girls
Show answer
d) 18 boys and 12 girls
2. At the stadium, the home fans outnumber the visiting fans. What will you probably notice?
a) the home fans leaving before the match starts
b) a stadium with no fans in the seats
c) most of the crowd cheering for the visitors
d) most of the crowd wearing the home team's colours
Show answer
d) most of the crowd wearing the home team's colours
