overwrite

verb

over·​write ˌō-vər-ˈrīt 

ˌō-və-

overwrote ˌō-vər-ˈrōt 

ˌō-və-

; overwritten ˌō-vər-ˈri-tᵊn 

ˌō-və-

; overwriting ˌō-vər-ˈrī-tiŋ 

ˌō-və-

transitive verb

1

: to write over the surface of

2

: to write in inflated or overly elaborate style

3

: to replace information in (a computer file) with new information

intransitive verb

: to write too much or in an overly elaborate style

Examples of overwrite in a Sentence

The author has a tendency to overwrite.

Recent Examples on the Web

In fact, a diversified basket of stocks with a call overwriting program could finance some measure of downside index protection (such as SPY or SPX put spreads) without the headwind of negative carry. —Michael Khouw, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2026

By that point, at least one nearby business had overwritten its surveillance footage. —Arkansas Online, 19 Feb. 2026

By that point, at least one nearby business had overwritten its surveillance footage. —Jim Mustian, Twin Cities, 18 Feb. 2026

By that point, at least one nearby business had overwritten its surveillance footage. —ABC News, 17 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for overwrite

• acolyte
• aconite
• allanite
• alunite
• amberlite
• ammonite
• amorite
• amphitrite
• analyte
• anchorite
• andesite
• anhydrite

Kids Definition

overwrite

verb

over·​write ˌō-və(r)-ˈrīt 

overwrote -ˈrōt  ; overwritten -ˈrit-ᵊn  ; overwriting -ˈrīt-iŋ 

1

: to write over the surface of : write on top of

2

: to write too much or in an overly elaborate style

overwritten accounts of everyday events