overcast

1 of 3

verb

over·​cast
overcast; overcasting

transitive verb

1
2
ˈō-vər-ˌkast How to pronounce overcast (audio) : to sew (raw edges of a seam) with long slanting widely spaced stitches to prevent raveling

overcast

2 of 3

adjective

: clouded over
an overcast day

overcast

3 of 3

noun

over·​cast ˈō-vər-ˌkast How to pronounce overcast (audio)
: covering
especially : a covering of clouds over the sky

Examples of overcast in a Sentence

Verb an impenetrable fog overcast our view of the harbor Adjective It was an overcast morning. They worked in overcast conditions.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Short term reversals shouldn’t overcast longer term progress, Reed added. Jaime Moore-Carrillo, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 July 2024 The past year has seen an existential mood overcast the rap world as its commercial dominance appears to be on its last leg. Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 12 Sep. 2023
Adjective
Spinning wing decoys are not great early in the morning or during hunts with low visibility (think fog or heavy overcast). Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 9 Oct. 2025 There were multiple days of mild, overcast weather and no heat waves afterward, and that helped retain the moisture. Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Sep. 2025
Noun
The film is aggressively teal with a sallow greige (gray-beige) overcast. Courtney Howard, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025 Crosby, Stills & Nash is a sunny record, and Déjà Vu has an overcast. Devon Ivie, Vulture, 25 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for overcast

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1536, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1637, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overcast was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overcast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overcast. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

overcast

1 of 3 verb
over·​cast
overcast; overcasting
1
ˌō-vər-ˈkast,
ˈō-vər-ˌkast
: darken sense 1, overshadow
2
ˈō-vər-ˌkast
: to sew with stitches that prevent the material at the edge of a seam from coming apart

overcast

2 of 3 adjective
over·​cast ˌō-vər-ˈkast How to pronounce overcast (audio)
ˌō-vər-ˈkast
: clouded over : gloomy
an overcast night

overcast

3 of 3 noun
over·​cast ˈō-vər-ˌkast How to pronounce overcast (audio)
: covering
especially : a covering of clouds over the sky

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