outstay

[ out-stey ]

verb (used with object)

1. to stay longer than.
2. to stay beyond the time or duration of; overstay:

   to outstay one's welcome.

outstay

/ ˌaʊtˈsteɪ /

verb

1. to stay longer than
2. to stay beyond (a limit)
3. outstay one's welcome
   See overstay

Word History and Origins

Origin of outstay¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; out- + stay ¹

Example Sentences

"The worst thing you can do with a comedy is to outstay your welcome."

From Salon

Southgate may have sensed it himself as he talked of “not outstaying my welcome” before a Nations League meeting with Hungary at Molineux.

From BBC

Because I am constantly looking for reasons to get rid of old things, old ways of thinking and being that have outstayed their usefulness, I’m drawn to spring cleaning as an annual rite.

From New York Times

Or lead her to conclude, given the at best tepid public support of her colleagues, that she has outstayed her welcome.

From BBC

Scenes almost inevitably outstay their welcomes, as if Heggie and McNally couldn’t resist just one more lush verse; on Tuesday, I often found myself simultaneously gripped and bored.

From New York Times

Related Words

• continue
• delay
• hang
• last
• linger
• remain
• reside
• settle
• stand
• stick around
• stop