verb
Uncommon
surpass
suh-PAHS
Surpass (verb) means to do better than, or go beyond, someone or something. Example: “Her second novel surpassed the success of her first.”
verb
1
To do better than, or go beyond, someone or something.
"Her second novel surpassed the success of her first."
"The results surpassed all our expectations."
How to use surpass
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo beat or exceed a level, standard, or expectation.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
surpass expectations
surpass all previous records
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- surpasses
- Past tense
- surpassed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her second novel _____ the success of her first.
Etymology
From Middle French surpasser, from sur- ("beyond") + passer ("to pass").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “surpass” mean?
The word “surpass” means to do better than, or go beyond, someone or something. In plain terms, to beat or exceed a level, standard, or expectation.
How do you pronounce “surpass”?
“Surpass” is pronounced suh-PAHS (/sɚˈpæs/ in IPA).
How do you use “surpass” in a sentence?
Here is “surpass” used in a sentence: “Her second novel surpassed the success of her first.”
What part of speech is “surpass”?
“Surpass” is a verb.
Where does the word “surpass” come from?
The word “surpass” comes from Middle French. From Middle French surpasser, from sur- ("beyond") + passer ("to pass").
Is “surpass” a common word?
“Surpass” is an uncommon word in modern English.
