over
over — preposition
1. In a place above another person or thing, often with space between them.
In a place above another person or thing, often with space between them.
A glass lamp hung over the kitchen table during dinner.
hang over + noun
Dark clouds moved over Taipei just before the school parade.
move over + place
A small shelf over the sink holds soap and clean cups.
shelf over + noun
From the bridge, Lina watched trains pass over the river.
- hang over the table
- clouds over the city
- bridge over the river
- shelf over the sink
- above
the closest general choice for higher position
- higher than
more explicit about vertical distance, but less natural in many short phrases
Grammar Patterns
hang over + noun
move over + place
bridge / shelf over + noun
Usage Note
Often used for a static place or something moving through the air above a place. Distinguish from sense 2 COVERING, where one thing lies on top of or hides another.
Common Mistakes
2. On top of something so that it is partly or fully hidden, covered, or protected.
On top of something so that it is partly or fully hidden, covered, or protected.
Grandma laid a warm towel over my wet hair.
put + noun + over + noun
A blue sheet was over the cage to keep birds calm.
over + noun for covering
Snow spread over the field after midnight and hid the path.
spread over + surface
Nina wore a raincoat over her school uniform on the walk home.
wear + noun + over + clothes
- towel over her hair
- sheet over the cage
- snow over the field
- raincoat over a uniform
- under
places something beneath the covering layer instead of on it
Grammar Patterns
put + noun + over + noun
wear + noun + over + clothes
spread over + surface
Usage Note
Common with cloth, clothes, lids, and anything placed across a surface for protection or concealment. Distinguish from sense 1 HIGHER POSITION, which does not require contact or covering.
Common Mistakes
3. At a figure higher than a stated number, amount, time, or price.
At a figure higher than a stated number, amount, time, or price.
Children over twelve must buy a full train ticket.
over + age
We waited over an hour outside the clinic in heavy rain.
over + time
That coat cost over three thousand dollars at the airport shop.
over + price
Her bag weighed over twenty kilos before the flight home.
over + weight
- over twelve
- over an hour
- over three thousand dollars
- over twenty kilos
Grammar Patterns
over + age
over + time
over + price / weight / number
Usage Note
Placed directly before the number or amount. It gives a fixed figure that is already higher than the one named, rather than the idea of something still rising past a limit.
Common Mistakes
4. Past something and onto the far side, often by going up over it first.
Past something and onto the far side, often by going up over it first.
The boys jumped over the stream to reach the farm road.
jump over + noun
We drove over the mountain before sunrise and saw the sea.
drive over + mountain
Mina threw the ball over the wall into the next yard.
throw + noun + over + wall
After lunch, tourists walked over the bridge toward the old market.
- jump over the stream
- drive over the mountain
- throw over the wall
- walk over the bridge
- along
shows movement beside something instead of crossing it
Grammar Patterns
jump over + noun
drive over + hill / mountain
throw + noun + over + wall
Usage Note
Usually follows a verb of movement and often implies reaching the far side. Distinguish from sense 1 HIGHER POSITION, which can describe location without crossing anything.
Common Mistakes
5. After your foot catches on something and you lose balance.
After your foot catches on something and you lose balance.
Maya tripped over a toy truck in the dark hall.
trip over + object
Several runners fell over the rope near the finish line.
fall over + object
Dad nearly stumbled over the cat's bowl by the back door.
stumble over + object
On the path, I tripped over a root and scraped my knee.
- trip over a toy
- fall over the rope
- stumble over a bowl
- trip over a root
- on
also common after 'trip', especially in short spoken English
Grammar Patterns
trip over + object
stumble over + object
fall over + object
Usage Note
The object after 'over' is the thing your foot hits, such as a rope, root, toy, or bag. Distinguish from sense 4 FALL FROM EDGE, which is about going off a side or edge instead of hitting an obstacle.
Common Mistakes
6. Past a stated level, amount, or point after rising or moving beyond it.
Past a stated level, amount, or point after rising or moving beyond it.
By noon, the kitchen temperature climbed over thirty-eight degrees.
climb over + temperature limit
After lunch, ticket sales went over five thousand.
go over + number
Oil prices moved over ninety dollars a barrel.
During the race, Kim's speed rose over 160 kilometers an hour.
- climb over thirty-eight degrees
- go over five thousand
- move over ninety dollars
- rise over the limit
Grammar Patterns
go/rise/climb over + number
move over + limit/price/level
Usage Note
Often follows verbs such as 'go', 'rise', 'climb', or 'move'. Distinguish from preposition sense 6, which simply compares one amount with another without the idea of crossing a point.
Common Mistakes
7. on the far side of something that separates two places.
on the far side of something that separates two places.
The post office stands over the river from our school.
over + place + from
A small cafe is over the square from City Hall.
From the camp, we could see a church over the dark valley.
Liam waved to his aunt over the garden wall.
over + wall for someone on the other side
- over the river from
- over the square from
- over the valley
- over the garden wall
- across from
the most common everyday wording for a position opposite another place
- beyond
can suggest the far side of something larger or farther away
- on this side of
shows the place is on the same side as the speaker or reference point
Grammar Patterns
over + river/valley/square + from
over + wall/fence
Usage Note
This is a place meaning. Distinguish from preposition sense 3, which describes movement from one side to another rather than a position on the other side.
8. through a period of time or while an activity is happening.
through a period of time or while an activity is happening.
We talked over lunch while the children fed the ducks.
over + meal
Sofia checked the map over breakfast before school.
Over the summer, Noah learned to fix old bikes.
over + period of time
The twins became close over many long train rides.
- over lunch
- over breakfast
- over the summer
- over many train rides
- during
the closest everyday equivalent
- throughout
stronger when something continues for the whole period
Grammar Patterns
over + lunch/breakfast/dinner
over + summer/weekend/trip
Usage Note
Common with meals, holidays, weekends, and repeated shared activities. It often suggests that something developed gradually during that time.
9. past an illness or bad experience so it no longer affects you strongly.
past an illness or bad experience so it no longer affects you strongly.
After two weeks, Emma was finally over the flu.
be over + illness
By spring, Ken was over the car crash shock.
be over + upsetting experience
Lena is still not over last year's breakup yet.
By autumn, the town was over the flood and rebuilding homes.
- over the flu
- over the shock
- over the breakup
- over the flood
- recovered from
best for illness or physical effects
- past
highlights getting beyond a difficult stage
- finished with
can fit when someone no longer cares about a past relationship or trouble
- still affected by
shows the illness or experience is still having an effect
- stuck on
informal and often used for old feelings about a person
Grammar Patterns
be over + illness
be over + shock/breakup/disappointment
Usage Note
Most often follows 'be' and names something unpleasant that a person or group has had time to recover from. Distinguish from adjective sense 6, which means an event or period has ended, not that someone has recovered.
Common Mistakes
10. showing the device, system, or channel used to do or communicate something.
showing the device, system, or channel used to do or communicate something.
We heard the weather warning over the car radio at dawn.
over + radio for the medium used
Nora paid the clinic bill over the phone on Tuesday.
pay over + phone
The class met over video when snow closed the school.
Grandpa ordered cat food over an app after dinner.
- over the radio
- over the phone
- over video
- over an app
- in person
shows that no device or channel is involved
- face to face
specifically contrasts with remote communication
Grammar Patterns
talk/hear/meet over + phone/radio/video
pay/order over + phone/app/internet
Usage Note
Common with words for communication or transaction channels, especially 'phone', 'radio', 'video', 'email', and 'app'. It usually names the medium directly after 'over'.
Common Mistakes
11. Moving off an edge or high place and dropping below it.
Moving off an edge or high place and dropping below it.
During the storm, a flowerpot went over the balcony and shattered.
go over + balcony
One loose box slid over the truck's side on the sharp turn.
go over + side
The goat slipped over the cliff before the farmer reached it.
slip over + cliff
A toy car rolled over the stair edge and hit the floor.
roll over + edge
- go over the balcony
- slip over the cliff
- roll over the edge
- fall over the side
- onto
shows movement to a surface instead of off it
Grammar Patterns
go over + balcony / side
slip over + cliff / edge
roll over + edge
Usage Note
Usually appears with edge, side, balcony, cliff, or another place where something can drop away. Distinguish from sense 3 ACROSS, where the focus is getting to the other side rather than falling down.
12. besides something already included, paid, or mentioned.
besides something already included, paid, or mentioned.
Students must buy their own books over and above the course fee.
over and above = in addition to
Over and above the hotel bill, we paid city tax.
There were travel costs over and above the ticket price.
The plan covers dental care over and above basic checkups.
costs/benefits over and above + base item
- over and above the course fee
- over and above the hotel bill
- over and above the ticket price
- over and above basic checkups
- in addition to
the clearest modern equivalent and much more common
- besides
more everyday and often less formal
- beyond
works especially for amounts or requirements that go further than a base level
Grammar Patterns
over and above + noun phrase
costs/benefits over and above + basic amount
Usage Note
Much more common in the phrase 'over and above' than as plain 'over'. It is often used in formal information about costs, duties, or benefits.
13. used after nouns naming feelings, arguments, or discussion to show their cause o
used after nouns naming feelings, arguments, or discussion to show their cause or subject.
Parents voiced concern over the broken playground gate.
concern over + problem
The town held a long debate over weekend traffic.
debate over + topic
There was anger over the lost school photos.
Nurses shared doubts over the new night schedule.
- concern over
- debate over
- anger over
- doubts over
- about
the broad everyday choice for the topic of a feeling or discussion
- concerning
more formal and often used in writing
- because of
fits when the noun mainly points to a cause rather than a topic
Grammar Patterns
concern/anger/doubt over + noun
debate/argument/dispute over + noun
Usage Note
Usually follows nouns such as 'concern', 'anger', 'debate', 'dispute', or 'doubt'. It is less natural after verbs that already take a direct object, such as 'discuss'.
Common Mistakes
14. showing who is in charge of, responsible for, or teaching a person, group, or ac
showing who is in charge of, responsible for, or teaching a person, group, or activity.
Dr. Chen has authority over the research team in Taipei.
authority over + group or team
Professor Malik is over the first-year writing class this summer.
be over + class you teach or supervise
The captain kept control over the boat during the black night storm.
At camp, Nora is over the younger children's reading group after dinner.
- authority over
- control over
- power over
- be over the class
- in charge of
the most natural modern phrase for responsibility or authority
- responsible for
broader and less focused on direct control
- supervising
stresses watching and directing people or work
- under
shows a lower position in rank or direction
- answerable to
emphasises reporting to someone with higher authority
Grammar Patterns
authority/control over + person or group
be over + class/team/department
Usage Note
Often follows nouns such as 'authority', 'control', or 'power'. In school or workplace contexts, 'be over + group/class' can mean being the person teaching or supervising it.
Common Mistakes
15. used in maths when reading a division sum aloud, before the number that divides
used in maths when reading a division sum aloud, before the number that divides the first one.
In math class, 24 over 6 equals 4 on the whiteboard today.
number over number in division reading
The worksheet showed 15 over 3 beside a row of apples.
Mr. Huang wrote x over y and asked us to simplify it.
x over y in algebra
For homework, Emma changed 8 over 2 into the number 4.
- 24 over 6
- 15 over 3
- x over y
- 8 over 2
- divided by
the standard full phrase for this mathematical operation
- slash
an informal way to read the written symbol, especially on screens or notes
Grammar Patterns
24 over 6
x over y
Usage Note
Mostly heard when teachers or students read sums aloud. In formal written notation, the division sign or fraction bar usually carries this meaning without the word.
over and above
idiomIn addition to something else.
Maya received a bonus over and above her regular salary.
Are there any extra costs over and above the ticket price?
over — adverb
1. at that amount, level, or age or more.
at that amount, level, or age or more.
The museum gives free entry to children aged eleven and over.
number + and over = or more
Players scoring ninety and over move into the final round.
Shoes size forty and over were kept on the top shelf.
Any trip lasting a week or over needs the manager's approval.
period + or over
- aged eleven and over
- ninety and over
- size forty and over
- a week or over
- or more
the plainest everyday equivalent
- or above
common in charts, rules, and level descriptions
- upwards of
more formal and usually comes before the number, not after it
Grammar Patterns
number + and over
period/amount + or over
Usage Note
Usually follows a number in patterns like 'ten and over' or 'a week or over'. Distinguish from adverb sense 7 in the next chunk, which means something has finished.
2. from a higher or upright position to a lower one, often onto its side.
from a higher or upright position to a lower one, often onto its side.
The full paint can tipped over on the kitchen floor.
tip/fall over for moving to a lower position
During practice, one goalpost fell over after a hard kick.
With one shove, the old bike went over into the grass.
A wave knocked the red bucket over beside Noah's feet.
- tip over
- fall over
- go over
- knock over
Grammar Patterns
tip/fall/go over
knock + object + over
Usage Note
Most common after verbs like 'tip', 'fall', 'go', and 'knock'. Distinguish from sense 3, which is about turning so another side faces up.
3. across to another side, place, or person.
across to another side, place, or person.
Rina called the dog over from the next yard.
call/come over for movement across space
At lunch, Ben slid the pepper over to his sister.
By evening, dark clouds moved over from the sea.
When the boat reached shore, two nurses came over with blankets.
- come over
- move over
- slide over
- call over
- across
the closest general adverb for movement from one side to another
- over here
points specifically toward the speaker
- over there
points to a place away from the speaker, not just the crossing movement
Grammar Patterns
come/go/move over
slide/pass/call + object/person + over
Usage Note
Used for movement or transfer across a gap, room, table, or area. Distinguish from sense 4, which involves exchanging positions rather than simply moving across.
Common Mistakes
4. with another face or the underside turned upward.
with another face or the underside turned upward.
Nora turned the pancake over before the edges grew too dark.
turn/flip over so the other side faces up
At the signal, every card flipped over at the same time.
The turtle rolled over and showed its pale shell.
In the wind, the canoe turned over and showed its red bottom.
- turn over
- flip over
- roll over
- card over
Grammar Patterns
turn/flip/roll over
Usage Note
Most common with 'turn', 'flip', and 'roll'. Distinguish from sense 1, which describes something falling down rather than being rotated.
Common Mistakes
5. used to say that an event or activity, such as a game or meeting, has reached it
used to say that an event or activity, such as a game or meeting, has reached its end.
By sunset, the tennis match was over and the crowd had gone home.
be over for events
Once the school fair was over, volunteers folded every table.
The storm was over before the first ferry reached the island.
The long budget meeting was finally over after dinner.
- the match was over
- the fair was over
- the storm was over
- the meeting was over
Grammar Patterns
game / meeting / storm + be over
once / when + event + be over
Usage Note
Usually follows 'be' and often refers to events or limited periods in time. Distinguish from sense 8, which stresses that a whole process or difficult situation is fully finished.
Common Mistakes
6. remaining after part of a supply, amount, or group has been used or taken away.
remaining after part of a supply, amount, or group has been used or taken away.
After the picnic, three sandwiches were left over in the cooler.
be left over
We had twenty dollars left over after buying train tickets.
have + amount + left over
At the bakery, two cream buns were left over by closing time.
There was enough paint left over for the garden gate.
- food left over
- money left over
- paint left over
- sandwiches left over
Grammar Patterns
be left over
have + amount + left over
Usage Note
Almost always appears in 'left over'. Common objects are food, money, paint, and time after some has already been used.
Common Mistakes
7. another time, or again from the beginning.
another time, or again from the beginning.
After the printer jammed, Nora typed the address over from the start.
do something over from the start
The coach made the team run the drill over before lunch.
Please read the last line over before you send the email.
read + object + over
When the song ended, the children begged to play it over.
- do it over
- start over
- read it over
- play it over
- once
shows something happens only a single time
Grammar Patterns
do / start + something + over
read / play / run + something + over
Usage Note
Often comes after the object in short everyday patterns such as 'read it over' or 'play it over'. Distinguish from sense 2 in the other adverb chunk, which describes movement across space.
Common Mistakes
8. into the other place or position by exchanging with someone else.
into the other place or position by exchanging with someone else.
At halftime, the two teams changed over ends of the field.
change over = exchange positions
After an hour, Rosa and Ken swapped over at the ticket desk.
Before the film began, the twins changed over in the front row.
After lunch, the cashiers changed over and counter three reopened.
- change over ends
- swap over
- change over seats
- change over shifts
- switch
the most common modern verb for taking each other's place
- swap
slightly more informal and often used for quick exchanges
- exchange places
more explicit but longer than plain 'over'
- stay put
shows that no one moves or exchanges position
- keep the same seat
describes remaining in the original position
Grammar Patterns
change/swap over
change over + positions/ends
Usage Note
Usually appears with verbs like 'change', 'switch', or 'swap'. Distinguish from sense 2, which is simple movement across a space without an exchange.
Common Mistakes
9. in a position above something, sometimes covering it.
in a position above something, sometimes covering it.
Thin branches bent over and shaded the garden path below.
bend over when something hangs above another thing
Maya pulled the blanket over and fell asleep again.
pull over when something is brought into covering position
Before painting, Mira pulled a plastic sheet over to protect the piano.
When rain started, Owen threw a tarp over before the wood got wet.
- blanket over
- sheet over
- branches bent over
- tarp over
Grammar Patterns
pull/throw/draw over
bend/hang over
Usage Note
Often follows verbs such as 'pull', 'throw', 'hang', or 'bend' when the thing below is clear from context. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 5 is about position above or covering, not falling down.
10. used to show that a problem, process, illness, or period has ended completely.
used to show that a problem, process, illness, or period has ended completely.
By Friday night, the kitchen repair was all over and every tool was packed away.
be all over for full completion
Once the fever was over, Leo went back to school.
The whole argument was over once both brothers shook hands.
After the final payment, our trouble with the shop was over.
- be all over
- the fever was over
- the argument was over
- the trouble was over
- unfinished
shows work or progress is still incomplete
- unresolved
used especially when a problem or dispute is not settled
Grammar Patterns
trouble / fever / repair + be over
be all over
Usage Note
Often refers to a difficulty, illness, or long process rather than a single organized event. Distinguish from sense 7, which is the ordinary way to say that a match, meeting, or similar event has ended.
11. radio word used to pass the turn to the other speaker and invite an answer.
radio word used to pass the turn to the other speaker and invite an answer.
The lifeguard radioed, "South tower ready for shift change, over."
radio turn ends, reply expected
From the jeep, Anita said, "Bridge clear on the north road, over."
Ben asked, "Can you hear me by the lake cabin, over?"
question + over
The guide called, "Three hikers are safe across the bridge, over."
- ready for shift change, over
- road clear, over
- can you hear me, over
- safe across the bridge, over
- over and out
used when the contact is ending and no reply is expected
Grammar Patterns
"message, over"
"question, over"
Usage Note
Only used in radio or walkie-talkie communication. It passes the turn to the other speaker instead of ending the contact completely.
12. radio phrase used to close contact completely, or jokingly to mark a matter as d
radio phrase used to close contact completely, or jokingly to mark a matter as done.
The ranger signed off with, "Camp locked for the night, over and out."
over and out ends contact
After the last exam, Zoe dropped her pen and said, "School stress, over and out."
humorous ending outside radio use
The school host ended the broadcast with, "Sports news complete, over and out."
Dad put away the cards and joked, "Game night, over and out."
- over and out
- sign off with over and out
- school stress, over and out
- game night, over and out
- over
used when you expect the other person to answer next
Grammar Patterns
over and out
statement + over and out
Usage Note
In radio use, this closes the exchange rather than inviting the next reply. Outside radio talk, it is often said jokingly or for dramatic effect.
Common Mistakes
over — adjective
1. finished, ended, and no longer continuing.
finished, ended, and no longer continuing.
The storm was over before the first bus reached our street.
be over for an event that has ended
By noon, the exam was over and everyone ran outside.
Their argument was over after one quiet talk in the kitchen.
be over between people
The holiday will be over when Uncle Ray flies home.
- the day is over
- the game is over
- all over
- over between them
- ongoing
common for something that is still continuing
- unfinished
focuses on not being complete yet
- continuing
emphasises that the event or state has not ended
Grammar Patterns
be over
be all over
be over between + people
Usage Note
Predicative only in this sense, usually after 'be'. Common with events, periods of time, and relationships.
Common Mistakes
2. Of eggs, cooked on one side and then turned so the other side cooks too.
Of eggs, cooked on one side and then turned so the other side cooks too.
At the diner, Maya said her eggs were over, not sunny-side up.
eggs + be over
The server asked whether Dad wanted his eggs over easy or hard-boiled.
over easy — diner order pattern
On the breakfast card, guests could choose eggs over medium with toast.
over medium — menu wording
Carlos orders his eggs over hard so the white cooks through.
- eggs over
- over easy
- over medium
- over hard
- sunny-side up
used when an egg is cooked on only one side
Grammar Patterns
eggs + be over
order eggs over
over easy / over medium / over hard
Usage Note
Mostly heard in American breakfast orders and especially with eggs. Often expanded to 'over easy', 'over medium', or 'over hard' to show how firm the yolk should be.
Common Mistakes
3. No longer seen as modern, attractive, or worth following.
No longer seen as modern, attractive, or worth following.
The stylist said skinny ties were over, and wider ones were back.
be over = no longer fashionable
By summer, that phone game was over and everyone played racing apps.
trend/game + be over
The blogger wrote that heavy curtains were over in small city apartments.
At the mall, glitter shoes were over once plain white trainers became popular.
- skinny ties are over
- that game is over
- the style is over
- over with young listeners
- dated
suggests something now looks old or behind the times
- old-fashioned
stronger and more clearly about style than general popularity
- unfashionable
formal and mainly about clothing or style
- fashionable
used for styles or things people currently like
- current
broader; can refer to what is still modern or relevant
Grammar Patterns
style / trend / game + is over
be over with + group
Usage Note
Usually follows 'be' and is used about styles, crazes, games, or ways of doing things. Distinguish from adjective sense 6, which means something has simply ended in time.
Common Mistakes
4. in the higher position when two parts or levels are one above the other.
in the higher position when two parts or levels are one above the other.
The restorer measured the overdoor painting above the chapel entrance.
fixed compound: overdoor painting
The sale list described an overmantel mirror from a large country house.
The museum bought an overdoor carving from an old manor house.
Fresh flowers stood below the overmantel shelf in the marble hall.
- overdoor panel
- overmantel mirror
- overdoor carving
- overmantel shelf
Grammar Patterns
over + noun
contrast with lower/under + noun
Usage Note
Rare and mainly before a noun. Often used only when there is a lower matching part to compare with.
5. forming the outside part that covers another part underneath.
forming the outside part that covers another part underneath.
The tent manual says the over-flap keeps rain off the zip.
fixed compound: over-flap for an outer covering
By dawn, the oversheet had slid onto the floor beside Emma's bed.
Dust lay on the overcover in the museum sewing room.
The crate stayed shut until the packer locked the over-lid in place.
- over-flap
- oversheet
- overcover
- over-lid
Grammar Patterns
over + noun
over + covering part
Usage Note
Usually before a noun naming the covering part of something, such as a flap, sheet, or cover. Distinguish from sense 1, which points to a higher position rather than a covering layer.
6. greater in degree than is good, useful, or reasonable.
greater in degree than is good, useful, or reasonable.
The coach warned that overconfidence can ruin a team after one easy win.
standard compound noun for excess
Ben's overenthusiasm showed when he answered before the teacher finished the question.
The director admitted the small play suffered from overambition and ran too long.
The rescue slowed because overcaution made the climbers stop every few minutes.
- overconfidence
- overeagerness
- overambition
- overcaution
- moderate
suggests a controlled and suitable amount
- reasonable
focuses on what is sensible rather than simply not large
Grammar Patterns
over + abstract noun
Usage Note
Rare as a separate adjective before abstract nouns. In modern English, the prefix form 'over-' is usually more common in writing.
7. left after the rest has already been used, spent, or given away.
left after the rest has already been used, spent, or given away.
We had two blankets over after the late bus finally arrived.
postpositive: noun + over for something remaining
Marcus kept fifty dollars over after paying the moving truck.
There was one clean cup over after the children left.
After the party, Aunt Rosa had soup over for tomorrow's lunch.
- blankets over
- dollars over
- cup over
- soup over
Grammar Patterns
have + noun + over
there be + noun + over
Usage Note
Usually comes after the noun or amount, not before it. Distinguish from sense 5: sense 4 stresses what remains after use, while sense 5 stresses that there is more than needed.
Common Mistakes
8. more than needed or planned, so that an extra amount exists.
more than needed or planned, so that an extra amount exists.
The lunch order was six boxes over, so teachers took extras home.
quantity + over for a surplus amount
After two families cancelled, we ended up three chairs over for dinner.
By Friday, the bakery was twelve rolls over for the fair.
The camp stayed two tents over after four families cancelled.
- boxes over
- chairs over
- rolls over
- tents over
Grammar Patterns
be + quantity + over
have + quantity + over
Usage Note
Often follows a number or quantity word. Distinguish from sense 4: sense 5 is about surplus compared with a plan or need, not simply what remains after something was used.
over — prefix
1. put before a word to show that an action, amount, or quality goes past what is n
put before a word to show that an action, amount, or quality goes past what is normal, needed, or healthy.
If you overcook the noodles, they turn soft and lose their bite.
overcook = do something too much
Weeks of overtime left Mina overworked and too tired to drive home.
overworked = tired from too much work
The overfull bag split when Leo lifted it onto the bus.
An overpayment on the bill confused the clerk at checkout.
- overcook the noodles
- overworked staff
- an overfull bag
- an overpayment on the bill
Grammar Patterns
over- + verb
over- + adjective
over- + noun
Usage Note
Usually joins verbs, adjectives, and nouns such as 'overcook', 'overworked', and 'overpayment'. Distinguish from sense 2: sense 1 says something is too much, while sense 2 simply marks a higher number or measure.
Common Mistakes
2. put before numbers or measures to show an amount, age, length, or time higher th
put before numbers or measures to show an amount, age, length, or time higher than a stated level.
Only over-18 players may enter the late-night table tennis tournament.
over-18 = more than age eighteen
The clinic offers free checks for over-65 patients every Tuesday morning.
over-65 before a noun is often hyphenated
Mira packed an over-100-page file for the visa interview.
The airline charged extra for over-20-kilo bags at check-in.
- over-18 players
- over-65 patients
- an over-100-page file
- an over-two-hour climb
Grammar Patterns
over- + number + noun
over- + measure + noun
Usage Note
Most common with numbers, ages, times, and sizes before a noun, often with hyphens. Unlike sense 1, it does not itself suggest that the amount is a problem.
Common Mistakes
3. put before some words to show a place, object, or action that is above something
put before some words to show a place, object, or action that is above something else or comes from above.
An overhead lamp lit the sink while Rosa washed the dishes.
overhead = above your head
The pitcher used an overarm throw that surprised the young batter.
overarm = from above the shoulder
Workers repaired the overhead wires after last night's storm.
The store hangs overhead signs above each row of fruit.
- an overhead lamp
- an overarm throw
- overhead wires
- overhead signs
Grammar Patterns
over- + body-position word
over- + noun for thing above
Usage Note
Common in compounds naming things above you or actions made from above, such as 'overhead' and 'overarm'. Distinguish from sense 3, which involves crossing from side to side rather than simply being higher.
Common Mistakes
4. put before some words to show going from one side to the other, often across lan
put before some words to show going from one side to the other, often across land, sea, or a barrier.
The parts team sent the spare parts overseas after the Tainan factory closed.
overseas = across the sea
The tour continues overland from Nepal into northern India.
overland = across land
Children crossed the overbridge to reach the museum without entering traffic.
An overpass now carries bikes across the busy ring road.
- send parts overseas
- travel overland
- cross the overbridge
- build an overpass
Grammar Patterns
over- + land/sea word
over- + crossing noun
Usage Note
Seen in established compounds such as 'overseas', 'overland', 'overbridge', and 'overpass'. Distinguish from sense 4: sense 3 focuses on crossing to the other side, while sense 4 only marks a higher position.
Common Mistakes
over — verb
1. to get past a barrier by jumping so that you land on the far side.
to get past a barrier by jumping so that you land on the far side.
In an old riding story, the mare overed the low gate by the pond.
over + gate/wall/fence
With one bound, the goat overed a narrow ditch by the road.
with one bound + over + obstacle
At the last second, Ravi overed the fallen log on the path.
In the hunt diary, the dog overed a stone wall after the rabbit.
In the race, Lena's horse overed every fence without slowing down.
literary rare verb for jump over
- over a gate
- over a fence
- over a wall
- over a ditch
- over a stream
Grammar Patterns
over + fence/wall/gate
over + ditch/stream/log
Usage Note
Object is usually a real barrier such as a fence, gate, wall, or ditch. This verb is very rare in modern English, and most speakers would say 'jump over' or 'leap over' instead.
Common Mistakes
over — noun
1. in cricket, one turn when the same bowler delivers six balls from one end before
in cricket, one turn when the same bowler delivers six balls from one end before the next bowler begins from the other end.
Singh bowled an over that gave the other team only two runs.
bowl an over / give away runs
After ten overs, only sixty balls were gone, and our team still needed thirty runs.
plural form after a number
The captain saved her fastest bowler for the last over, when six balls remained.
in the final over
Rain stopped the school match after just one over.
On the last ball of that over, the batter drove four runs.
- bowl an over
- a maiden over
- the final over
- ten overs
- complete an over
Grammar Patterns
an over
ten overs
bowl an over
in the final over
Usage Note
Used almost only in cricket. It commonly appears after numbers and with verbs like 'bowl', 'start', or 'complete', and it names the six-ball unit rather than the whole innings.
Common Mistakes
Synonym discussion
Sense: adjective/6
For adjective sense 6, over is the everyday choice when an event, class, game, or relationship has ended and will not continue. Finished is close, but it often focuses on a task, meal, or piece of work that has been completed. Done is more informal and is especially common in speech for homework, cooking, or a person who has had enough. Ended is neutral and often fits longer periods, wars, or official events. Complete is different: it usually means all parts are present or that work has been fully carried out, not simply that something has stopped. A meeting can be over, dinner can be done, and a season can be ended.
Etymology
Over comes from Old English ofer, which already carried ideas such as above, across, and beyond. English kept those core spatial meanings and later extended them to number, degree, completion, and control. The prefix over- grew from the same source, so many modern words with over- still suggest height, crossing, excess, or going past a limit.