Outwear for Dummies

Outwear is a word that we use to talk about the act of wearing something out, as in making it become worn out or no longer in good condition. You know when you have a favorite pair of shoes that you wear every day, and eventually they start to get holes in them and the soles are all worn down? That's an example of outwearing them. It's like when we use something so much that it becomes old and not usable anymore. So, when we say "outwear" in this context, we mean that something has been worn too much and it's no longer in good shape.

But wait, there's another meaning to "outwear" too! It can also mean to surpass or endure longer than someone or something else. Imagine you and your friend both start running a race at the same time. You keep running and running, and your friend gets tired and stops before reaching the finish line. In that case, you would have "outworn" your friend because you were able to endure and keep going for longer. So, "outwear" can also mean to go beyond what others can do, to last longer or be more enduring.

So, to sum it up, "outwear" means to wear something out or make it become worn out, just like your favorite pair of shoes that you've used for a long time. And it can also mean to surpass or outlast someone or something by being more enduring.