overtake

over·take

verb \ˌō-vər-ˈtāk\

over·took\-ˈtu̇k\over·tak·en\-ˈtā-kən\over·tak·ing

Definition of OVERTAKE

transitive verb

1

a : to catch up with b : to catch up with and pass by

2

: to come upon suddenly

Examples of OVERTAKE

1. She overtook the other runners and went on to win the race.
2. The sign says “No Overtaking.”
3. Seasickness can overtake passengers when the ship encounters a storm.

Origin of OVERTAKE

Middle English, from ¹over + taken to take

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to OVERTAKE

Synonyms: catch, catch up (with), overhaul

Related Words: chase, pursue; gain, reach; pass, surpass

Near Antonyms: fall short

[+]more[-]hide

Rhymes with OVERTAKE

aerobrake, bellyache, coaster brake, coffee break, coral snake, double take, garter snake, give-and-take, Great Bear Lake, Great Salt Lake, griddle cake, halterbreak, johnnycake, kittiwake, make-or-break, marble cake, microquake, patty-cake, plumber's snake, put-and-take, rattlesnake, Reindeer Lake, silver hake, station break, stomachache, undertake, wapentake, water snake, wedding cake, wideawake