over

1 of 5

adverb

ˈō-vər 

1

a

: across a barrier or intervening (see intervene sense 4) space

especially : across the goal line in football

threw the ball over

b

: forward beyond an edge or brink and often down

wandered too near the cliff and fell over

c

: across the brim

soup boiled over

d

: so as to bring the underside up

turned his cards over

e

: from a vertical to a prone or inclined position

knocked the lamp over

f

: from one person or side to another

hand it over

g

: across

got his point over

h

: to one's home

invite some friends over

i

: on the other side of an intervening (see intervene sense 4) space

the next town over

j

: to agreement or concord

won them over

2

a(1)

: beyond some quantity, limit, or norm often by a specified amount or to a specified degree

show ran a minute over

(2)

: in an excessive manner : inordinately

over-conservative traditionalists

—John Arlott

b

: till a later time (such as the next day) : overnight

stay over

sleep over

3

a

: above

The plane was directly over.

b

: so as to cover the whole surface

windows boarded over

4

—used on a two-way radio circuit to indicate that a message is complete and a reply is expected

5

a

: through

read it over

also : in an intensive or comprehensive manner

talked the matter over with his wife

b

: once more : again

do it over

Let's start over from the beginning.

over

2 of 5

preposition

1

—used as a function word to indicate motion or situation in a position higher than or above another

towered over his mother

flew over the lake

rode over the old Roman road

2

a

—used as a function word to indicate the possession of authority, power, or jurisdiction in regard to some thing or person

respected those over him

b

—used as a function word to indicate superiority, advantage, or preference

a big lead over the others

c

—used as a function word to indicate one that is overcome, circumvented, or disregarded

passed over the governor's veto

3

a

: more than

cost over $5

b

: above sense 4

4

a

—used as a function word to indicate position upon or movement down upon

laid a blanket over the child

hit him over the head

b(1)

: all through or throughout

showed me over the house

went over his notes

(2)

—used as a function word connecting one mathematical set and another whose elements are coefficients or values of parameters used to form elements of the first set

polynomials over the field of real numbers

c

—used as a function word to indicate a particular medium or channel of communication

over the radio

5

a

—used as a function word to indicate position on or motion to the other side or beyond

lives over the way

fell over the edge

b

: past or beyond (something) : done with and no longer experiencing

On that day Lily was over the worst of the fever, and he had been able to tell Mrs. Dale that he did not think that she was now in danger.

—Anthony Trollope

c

: no longer interested in or concerned about (someone or something)

… she had already filed New York State paperwork for a legal separation and was constantly on the phone with her new, non-Catholic, nonmusical boyfriend in Manhattan, reassuring him, every day, that she was so, so over Stephen.

—Jonathan Franzen

I think I'm over "It's a Wonderful Life," at least for this year. Fortunately, there is another classic Jimmy Stewart Christmas film to enjoy.

—Jay Powell

6

a

: throughout, during

over the past 25 years

b

: until the end of

stay over Sunday

7

a

—used as a function word to indicate an object of solicitude, interest, consideration, or reference

the Lord watches over his own

b

—used as a function word to indicate the object of an expressed or implied occupation, activity, or concern

trouble over money

met with advisers over lunch

over

3 of 5

adjective

1

a

: upper, higher

b

: outer, covering

c

: excessive

over imagination

2

a

: not used up : remaining

something over to provide for unusual requirements

—J. A. Todd

b

: having or showing an excess or surplus

3

: being at an end

the day is over

4

: fried on both sides

ordered two eggs over

5

: no longer current, popular, or fashionable

Over nearly two decades, the once funky Savoy has quietly grown up in SoHo. But as the fickle glitterati have begun to spurn the area for being "so over," Savoy has only gotten more self-assured.

—Gourmet

over

4 of 5

verb

overed; overing ˈō-və-riŋ 

ˈōv-riŋ

transitive verb

: to leap over

over-

5 of 5

prefix

1

: so as to exceed or surpass

overachieve

2

: excessive

overstimulation

3

: to an excessive degree

overthin

Phrases

over easy

: fried on one side then turned and fried lightly on the other side

eggs over easy

Synonyms

Adverb

• across
• through

Preposition

• above
• atop

Adjective

• up
• done
• finished
• through
• down
• complete
• ended
• completed

Examples of over in a Sentence

Adverb

The wall's too high for us to climb over.

We came to a stream and jumped over.

She leaned over and kissed him.

She knocked over the lamp.

A couple of trees fell over during the storm.

The baby rolled over onto his stomach.

Preposition

The sun's coming up over the mountain.

She looked at him over the top of her glasses.

Their balcony looks out over the city.

He looked over the fence.

A plane was flying low over the trees.

The meat was cooked over an open fire.

She slung the bag over her shoulder.

His hat was pulled low over his eyes.

Throw the rocks over the side of the boat.

He fell over the cliff's edge.

Adjective

When is this class over?

And before we knew it, the storm was over.

When it's over, it's over. You don't get a second chance.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

By the time the strike was over in mid-July — with the union defeated and the soldiers gone — the official local death toll was 12, though some historians say more than 30 died. —Robert Loerzel, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2025

At 25, Vondroušová thought her career was close to over. —James Hansen, New York Times, 21 June 2025

Preposition

Cases of female breast cancer look set to to rise by 38% worldwide over the next 25 years, while deaths from the disease could increase by 68%, according to an analysis by international scientists. —Sindhya Valloppillil, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025

Instead of the blonde she’s graced our screens with over the past 15 years, Madix wore a rich espresso brown wig with an all-red dominatrix-esque ensemble. —Devon Abelman, Allure, 23 June 2025

Adjective

Later in that period, McConkey had an explosive reception from Herbert on an over route off play action. 7. —Daniel Popper, New York Times, 10 June 2025

Before the sequel was announced, Bullock and Kidman reflected on their love for the original movie in the over 20 years since its release. —Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 7 May 2025

Verb

Photo : Gabriel Zimmer/Catskill Image The home cantilevers overs a brick base that’s wedged into the sloping landscape. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 17 Mar. 2025

The state should add three judges to the 9th Judicial Circuit, which overs Orange and Osceola counties, the court found. —Jim Saunders, Orlando Sentinel, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adverb, Preposition, Adjective, and Verb

Middle English, adverb & preposition, from Old English ofer; akin to Old High German ubar (preposition) above, beyond, over, Latin super, Greek hyper

First Known Use

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Preposition

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1837, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing over

• all over
• all over again
• all over the joint
• all over the lot
• all over the map
• all over the place
• all over the shop
• a question mark over
• a rap on/over/across the knuckles
• a roof over one's head
• bend over backward
• bend over backwards
• bind over
• blow over
• boil over
• bowl over
• carry over
• carry over into/to
• cast a pall on/over
• cast/run one's eye over
• change over to
• change (something) over to
• check over
• chew over
• comb-over
• come over
• come over to
• crossing-over
• cross over
• cry over spilled milk
• deliver over into
• deliver over to
• do-over
• fall all over oneself
• fall over backward
• fall over oneself
• fuss over
• get one's leg over
• get over
• get (something) over with
• given over to
• give over
• give over to
• give (someone or something) a/the once-over
• gloss over
• going-over
• go over
• go over big
• go over like a lead balloon
• go over someone's head
• go over/through (something) with a fine-tooth comb
• go to the stake for/over
• hand over
• hand over fist
• hash over
• haul/rake (someone) over the coals
• have it over
• have over
• have (something) written all over it
• have/take precedence over
• head over heels
• hold over
• hung over
• ice over/up
• it ain't over until/till the fat lady sings
• jump all over
• keel over
• keep a close watch over
• kick over
• kick over the traces
• knock over
• lay over
• lean over backward
• lie over
• like death warmed over
• look over
• look over one's shoulder
• lord it over
• lose sleep over
• make over
• mess over
• mind over matter
• moon over
• mouse over
• not look a day over
• once-over
• over a barrel
• over against
• over and above
• over and done with
• over and over
• over and over again
• over budget
• over easy
• over one's dead body
• over one's head
• over-peopled
• over-prepared
• over the counter
• over the edge
• over-the-hill
• over the hump
• over the limit
• over the long haul
• over the long run
• over the long term
• over the moon
• over the odds
• over the phone
• over the short run
• over the short term
• over the top
• over the transom
• over the way
• over the years
• over/through the ether
• over with
• paint over
• paper over
• paper over the cracks
• pass over
• pave over
• pay over the odds
• pick over
• plaster over
• pore over
• preside over
• pull over
• pull the wool over one's eyes
• pull the wool over someone's eyes
• put (oneself) over as (something)
• put over
• put (something) over on (someone)
• puzzle over
• rake over
• rap (someone) on/over/across the knuckles
• read over
• roll over
• roll-over arm
• run over
• see over
• shove over
• sign over
• skate over/around
• slave over a hot stove
• slobber over
• smooth over
• splash across/over
• start over
• stay over
• sweat over
• swing over
• take over
• talk over
• the (whole) world over
• think over
• think things over
• throw over
• tick over
• tide over
• tip over
• tower above/over
• turn over
• turn over a new leaf
• turn over to
• turn (something) over in one's mind
• twice over
• unfussed-over
• voice-over
• Voice over Internet Protocol
• walk over
• warmed-over
• wash over
• watch over
• well over
• when hell freezes over
• win over
• work over
• written all over someone's face
• you could have knocked me over with a feather

Rhymes for over

• clover
• drover
• prover
• rover
• stover
• trover
• carryover
• changeover
• crossover
• cutover
• flashover
• hangover

Kids Definition

over

1 of 4 adverb

ˈō-vər 

1

a

: across a barrier or space

fly over to London

b

: in a direction down or forward and down

fell over

c

: across the brim

soup boiled over

d

: so as to bring the underside up

turned his cards over

e

: from one person or side to another

hand it over

f

: to one's home

ask them over

g

: at a distance from a certain point

two streets over

h

: to agreement

won them over

2

: across entry 1 sense 3

got their point over

3

a

: beyond a limit

the show ran a minute over

b

: more than needed : too many or too much

over fond of food

c

: till a later time (as the next day) : overnight

stay over

sleep over

4

: so as to cover the whole surface

windows boarded over

5

—used in a two-way radio transmission to indicate that a message is complete and a reply is expected

6

a

: through entry 2 sense 2a

read it over

b

: once more : again

do it over

over

2 of 4 preposition

ˌō-vər,

ˈō-

1

: higher than : above

towered over my mother

flew over the lake

2

a

: above in authority, power, or worth

respected those over us

b

: in front of : ahead of, beyond

a big lead over the others

3

: more than

cost over $5

4

a

: down upon especially so as to cover

laid a blanket over the child

b

: all through or throughout

all over town

went over her notes

c

: on or along the surface of

over the road

5

a

: across entry 2 sense 1

jump over a stream

b

: to or on the other side of

climb over the fence

c

: down from : off

fell over the edge

6

: during

over the past 25 years

7

—used to indicate an object of concern

trouble over money

8

: by means of

heard the news over the radio

over

3 of 4 adjective

ˈō-vər,

ˌō-

1

: having or being more than is needed or expected

the balance was $3 over

2

: brought or having come to an end

the day is over

over-

4 of 4 prefix

1

: so as to be greater, better, or stronger than

2

: so as to be too much or too great

Words from over-

overabundance, overabundant, overambitious, overanxious, overbake, overbold, overburden, overcareful, overcautious, overcomplicate, overcomplicated, overconfidence, overconfident, overconfidently, overconscientious, overcook, overcount, overcritical, overdecorate, overdependence, overdependent, overdramatic, overeager, overeagerness, overemphasis, overemphasize, overenthusiastic, overexaggerate, overexaggeration, overexcite, overexcited, overexert, overexertion, overfamiliar, overfat, overfertilization, overgenerous, overhasty, overheat, overindulge, overindulgence, overindulgent, overlarge, overload, overlong, overmodest, overnice, overpay, overpayment, overpopulate, overpopulation, overpraise, overproduce, overproduction, overprotect, overprotection, overprotective, overprotectiveness, overreact, overreaction, overrefined, overrefinement, oversensitive, oversensitiveness, oversensitivity, overspecialization, overspecialize, overstuff, oversubtle, oversuspicious, overtax, overtaxation, overtip, overtired, overtrain, overwater, overwind, overwithhold, overzealous, overzealousness

Etymology

Prefix

from over (adverb or adjective)

Legal Definition

over

adjective

: based on the termination or failure of a prior estate

a limitation over

see also gift over at gift