outsource
4 synonyms and 3 antonyms for outsource, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To pay an outside company or individual to do work that your own organisation would otherwise do itself, such as IT support, payroll, manufacturing or customer service.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use outsource
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
outsource production
outsourced IT
outsourcing contract
outsource to a third party
Business standard, now also used jokingly about chores.
Etymology
A compound of out- and source, on the model of sourcing goods or services from outside the organisation.
Full origin of outsource →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between outsourcing and offshoring?
Outsourcing is about who does the work — an external supplier rather than your own staff. Offshoring is about where it is done — another country. You can outsource to a firm down the road, or offshore to your own subsidiary abroad; many arrangements are both at once.
Why do companies outsource?
Usually to cut cost, to convert fixed staffing into flexible contracts, or to buy expertise they do not have internally. The trade-offs are reduced control, slower response and the risk of losing knowledge that never comes back.
Is it outsource or out-source?
Outsource, one word, is standard in current usage. The hyphenated form appears only in older texts.
