Pronunciation: [a͡ʊtɡˈʌn] (IPA) 
The word "outgun" is often misspelled as "outgone" or "outgorn". However, the correct spelling is /aʊtˈɡʌn/. The word is pronounced with a diphthong, as heard in the vowel sound of "out" (/aʊ/) followed by a short "u" sound (/ʌ/). The "g" is pronounced hard, as in "gun", and the final "n" is sounded. "Outgun" means to surpass or exceed someone or something in firepower or armaments.
The verb "outgun" refers to the act of surpassing or surpassing the firepower, armament, or capabilities of another person, group, or entity in a military or combat context. When one entity "outguns" another, it means that it possesses superior or more powerful weapons, artillery, or ammunition. The term is often used metaphorically to describe situations where one side possesses a significant advantage or dominance over its opposition.
In a literal sense, "outgunning" can be observed on battlefields, wars, or conflicts, where one army or combatant has access to advanced weaponry, heavy artillery, or high-caliber firearms that effectively overpower and overwhelm their adversaries. This can result in a significant disadvantage for those being "outgunned," as their defensive or offensive capabilities become inadequate in comparison. Additionally, "outgunning" could also refer to situations where a singular person possesses more firepower than a group or a single entity, consequently giving them an upper hand in confrontations.
Metaphorically, the term "outgun" can be applied to various scenarios beyond military contexts. It can describe situations where an individual or organization possesses more resources, skills, knowledge, or advantages than their competitors, enabling them to overshadow or outperform others in a particular domain. "Outgunning" someone can imply overpowering them intellectually, professionally, or even socially, therefore solidifying their superiority or dominance in a given sphere.
The word "outgun" is derived from a combination of the prefix "out-", which means "beyond" or "exceeding", and the noun "gun". The noun "gun" can be traced back to the Middle English word "gonne", which originated from the Old Norse word "gunnr". "Gonne" referred to a large siege weapon or cannon. Over time, the meaning of "gun" expanded to include handheld firearms as well. The prefix "out-" in "outgun" emphasizes the idea of surpassing or overwhelming someone or something in terms of firepower, as though one has better or more powerful guns.
