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

The malware was installed remotely using malware tools that can read and overwrite parts of the UEFI firmware’s flash memory. —Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 17 June 2026

Video footage can also be overwritten. —Miami Herald, 17 June 2026

Over the last seven months, LeVota has proposed a series of tax policies intended to reverse or overwrite damages from the 2023 property tax cycle, including a retroactive 15% cap on residential property values from 2023. —Ilana Arougheti june 13, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2026

Kono faced growing criticism and attempts to overwrite his 1993 apology especially during nationalist former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s leadership. —Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 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