overboard

adverb

over·​board ˈō-vər-ˌbȯrd 

1

: over the side of a ship or boat into the water

2

: to extremes of enthusiasm

3

: into discard : aside

Examples of overboard in a Sentence

He threw the fish overboard.

The boy fell overboard and almost drowned.

One of the sailors fell into the water, and someone shouted “Man overboard!”.

Recent Examples on the Web

The impact of the crash caused everyone on board to fall overboard and into the water. — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026

Those who supported the defendants called the charges outrageous, saying the defendants were there protesting ICE and that the government had gone overboard to send a message. — Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 23 June 2026

Tyland was unceremoniously dumped overboard by one-time ally, Sharako Lohar, when her Bitchfist ship needed to lose some weight. — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 22 June 2026

The aesthetic mixes rustic country chic with bright, functional modernity, delivering floral wallpaper prints, stone chimneys, and overstuffed sofas without ever going overboard on the whole Kozy Kabin vibe. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing overboard

• go overboard
• wash overboard

Rhymes for overboard

• checkerboard
• clavichord
• fiberboard
• fibreboard
• fingerboard
• harpsichord
• motherboard
• notochord
• overlord
• paperboard
• plasterboard
• shuffleboard

Kids Definition

overboard

adverb

over·​board ˈō-vər-ˌbō(ə)rd 

-ˌbȯ(ə)rd

1

: over the side of a ship into the water

2

: to extremes of enthusiasm

go overboard for a new fad