Copy Citation
Hear a word and type it out. How many can you get right?
TAKE THE QUIZ1
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
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
1
—used as a function word to indicate motion or situation in a position higher than or above another
towered over his motherflew over the lakerode 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
4
a
—used as a function word to indicate position upon or movement down upon
laid a blanket over the childhit 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 wayfell 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
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
Jonathan FranzenI 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
Jay Powell6
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 moneymet with advisers over lunch
2
a
: not used up : remaining
something over to provide for unusual requirements—J. A. Todd
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
Gourmet1
: so as to exceed or surpass
overachieve
2
: excessive
overstimulation
3
: to an excessive degree
overthin
Synonyms
Example Sentences
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.
See More
Recent Examples on the WebDan Wolken, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2023
The wait is over—Howard County’s 13th high school in Jessup will bear the name Guilford Park High School, the board of education voted unanimously Thursday.
—Ethan Ehrenhaft, Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 2023
Their mission — to build a better state for trans and nonbinary Oklahomans —wasn’t over, Turner said.
—Jacob Fulton And, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Feb. 2023
The Grammy Awards are over, but music events continue at the Grammy Museum at L.A. Live.
—David L. Coddoncontributor, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Feb. 2023
While Paramount hasn't divulged much about season 5, and neither has the cast, Costner confirmed that the fight for land is far from over for the Duttons.
—Samantha Stutsman, Peoplemag, 7 Feb. 2023
All signs indicate that supply chain shortages are far from over.
—Robin Gagnon, Forbes, 6 Feb. 2023
Got to continue to build and grow, and the season is far from over.
—Chris Fedor, cleveland, 31 Jan. 2023
And since the war is far from over, there will probably be many more documentaries such as this one to come.
—Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Jan. 2023
Jaclyn Smock, Allure, 10 Feb. 2023
Watch on cable or free with an over-the-air antenna.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2023
With its six restaurants, six bars, and two pools on board — plus plenty of over-the-top hotel amenities — The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s Evrima is basically an all-inclusive luxury resort at sea.
—Maya Kachroo-levine, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2023
However, eye drops from EzriCare, a preservative-free, over-the-counter (OTC) product, were the most common.
—Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 9 Feb. 2023
Two over-the-counter sedating antihistamine medications also were found in the driver’s blood, according to the report.
—Tom Krisher, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2023
This arrives at a troubling time when antisemitism is on the rise, with the Anti-Defamation League noting a 34% year-over-year increase in antisemitic incidents (assault, harassment and vandalism) in America in 2021.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 9 Feb. 2023
Marina Larroudé, cofounder of the high-end shoe label, and jewelry designer Jennifer Fisher teamed up for a range of over-the-knee leather boots that make any street feel like a catwalk – but with comfort.
—People Staff, Peoplemag, 9 Feb. 2023
And Starz subscribers are up 2.8 percent year-over-year, when factoring seven international markets that the premium platform is exiting.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Feb. 2023
Allure, 3 Mar. 2023
Google Bard just got caught with the over promise, and under deliver dilemma that ChatGPT did not suffer from.
—Michael Gale, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2023
Overall, the majority of both teams’ recent games have gone over and, taking into account the high percentage shooting from both, there’s a worthwhile play on the over bet.
—Ian Firstenberg, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2023
One of the biggest problems is the over classification of documents.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 20 Jan. 2023
If all-over pattern isn’t quite your thing, take a cue from design duo Nickey Kehoe and opt for sweeping curtains with an ornate border, as seen here in star chef Suzanne Goin’s Los Angeles home.
—Anna Fixsen, ELLE Decor, 20 Dec. 2022
Work on the over one-minute video began shortly after the first protestor executions, and sprung, in part, from conversations between Najafi and a Ukrainian organizer and friend coordinating for #ArmUkraineNow.
—Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Jan. 2023
Doubling as an all-over face primer, e.l.f.'s Putty Primer makes eyeshadow glow.
—Jacqueline Saguin, Good Housekeeping, 14 Dec. 2022
The moneyline and spread are too close for a confident pick, but the over 49.5 points could be the play.
—Chris Ilenstine, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2023
Grady Mcgregor, Fortune, 27 May 2020
Combining salt with other seasonings, like herbs and spices, can also help reduce the need to over sprinkle.
—Cynthia Sass, Mph, Health.com, 6 Apr. 2020
Polar Bear Nylon Solar Backpack Light, simple to carry, difficult to over pack and insulated enough for a full day at the beach, this might be the perfect backpack cooler.
—Christine Ryan, New York Times, 10 Aug. 2019
Since then, the number of cases has exploded to over a quarter of a million.
—Osita Nwanevu, The New Republic, 3 Apr. 2020
The trade imbalance will only get worse, the ASMI report said, as Russia aims to nearly double the value of its global seafood exports by 2024 to over $8 billion.
—Anchorage Daily News, 18 Feb. 2020
The president’s legal team has 24 hours to over a three-day period to give its case.
—Kerry Picket, Washington Examiner, 24 Jan. 2020
Stir flour mixture into sugar mixture until just combined, being careful not to over mix.
—Darlene, Detroit Free Press, 19 Oct. 2019
One area overs parts of Chilton and extreme southern Shelby counties.
—Leigh Morgan, al, 31 Oct. 2019
See More
Adverb
Once Irving requested a trade last week – a move born out of Brooklyn’s justifiable hesitation to give him a long-term deal – the superteam experiment was over.
—Dan Wolken, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2023
The wait is over—Howard County’s 13th high school in Jessup will bear the name Guilford Park High School, the board of education voted unanimously Thursday.
—Ethan Ehrenhaft, Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 2023
Their mission — to build a better state for trans and nonbinary Oklahomans —wasn’t over, Turner said.
—Jacob Fulton And, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Feb. 2023
The Grammy Awards are over, but music events continue at the Grammy Museum at L.A. Live.
—David L. Coddoncontributor, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Feb. 2023
While Paramount hasn't divulged much about season 5, and neither has the cast, Costner confirmed that the fight for land is far from over for the Duttons.
—Samantha Stutsman, Peoplemag, 7 Feb. 2023
All signs indicate that supply chain shortages are far from over.
—Robin Gagnon, Forbes, 6 Feb. 2023
Got to continue to build and grow, and the season is far from over.
—Chris Fedor, cleveland, 31 Jan. 2023
And since the war is far from over, there will probably be many more documentaries such as this one to come.
—Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Jan. 2023
Preposition
An over-the-counter solution to nasal congestion that Dr. Breus recommends nasal dilators, one of his preferred methods of opening the nasal airway.
—Jaclyn Smock, Allure, 10 Feb. 2023
Watch on cable or free with an over-the-air antenna.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2023
With its six restaurants, six bars, and two pools on board — plus plenty of over-the-top hotel amenities — The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s Evrima is basically an all-inclusive luxury resort at sea.
—Maya Kachroo-levine, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2023
However, eye drops from EzriCare, a preservative-free, over-the-counter (OTC) product, were the most common.
—Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 9 Feb. 2023
Two over-the-counter sedating antihistamine medications also were found in the driver’s blood, according to the report.
—Tom Krisher, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2023
This arrives at a troubling time when antisemitism is on the rise, with the Anti-Defamation League noting a 34% year-over-year increase in antisemitic incidents (assault, harassment and vandalism) in America in 2021.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 9 Feb. 2023
Marina Larroudé, cofounder of the high-end shoe label, and jewelry designer Jennifer Fisher teamed up for a range of over-the-knee leather boots that make any street feel like a catwalk – but with comfort.
—People Staff, Peoplemag, 9 Feb. 2023
And Starz subscribers are up 2.8 percent year-over-year, when factoring seven international markets that the premium platform is exiting.
—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Feb. 2023
Adjective
TikTok-Approved Makeup For a natural-looking, all-over glow in any season, try the antioxidant-rich Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Bronzing Drops.
—Allure, 3 Mar. 2023
Google Bard just got caught with the over promise, and under deliver dilemma that ChatGPT did not suffer from.
—Michael Gale, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2023
Overall, the majority of both teams’ recent games have gone over and, taking into account the high percentage shooting from both, there’s a worthwhile play on the over bet.
—Ian Firstenberg, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2023
One of the biggest problems is the over classification of documents.
—Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 20 Jan. 2023
If all-over pattern isn’t quite your thing, take a cue from design duo Nickey Kehoe and opt for sweeping curtains with an ornate border, as seen here in star chef Suzanne Goin’s Los Angeles home.
—Anna Fixsen, ELLE Decor, 20 Dec. 2022
Work on the over one-minute video began shortly after the first protestor executions, and sprung, in part, from conversations between Najafi and a Ukrainian organizer and friend coordinating for #ArmUkraineNow.
—Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Jan. 2023
Doubling as an all-over face primer, e.l.f.'s Putty Primer makes eyeshadow glow.
—Jacqueline Saguin, Good Housekeeping, 14 Dec. 2022
The moneyline and spread are too close for a confident pick, but the over 49.5 points could be the play.
—Chris Ilenstine, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2023
Verb
He's edged out by Jack Ma, founder of the e-commerce firm Alibaba and China's second-richest person, who saw his net worth grow by $3 billion to over $41 billion in the same period.
—Grady Mcgregor, Fortune, 27 May 2020
Combining salt with other seasonings, like herbs and spices, can also help reduce the need to over sprinkle.
—Cynthia Sass, Mph, Health.com, 6 Apr. 2020
Polar Bear Nylon Solar Backpack Light, simple to carry, difficult to over pack and insulated enough for a full day at the beach, this might be the perfect backpack cooler.
—Christine Ryan, New York Times, 10 Aug. 2019
Since then, the number of cases has exploded to over a quarter of a million.
—Osita Nwanevu, The New Republic, 3 Apr. 2020
The trade imbalance will only get worse, the ASMI report said, as Russia aims to nearly double the value of its global seafood exports by 2024 to over $8 billion.
—Anchorage Daily News, 18 Feb. 2020
The president’s legal team has 24 hours to over a three-day period to give its case.
—Kerry Picket, Washington Examiner, 24 Jan. 2020
Stir flour mixture into sugar mixture until just combined, being careful not to over mix.
—Darlene, Detroit Free Press, 19 Oct. 2019
One area overs parts of Chilton and extreme southern Shelby counties.
—Leigh Morgan, al, 31 Oct. 2019
See More
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'over.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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
Time Traveler
The first known use of over was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing over
Dictionary Entries Near over
Cite this Entry
“Over.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/over. Accessed 27 Mar. 2023.
Kids Definition
over
1 of 4 adverb1
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 prepositionˌō-vər,
ˈō-
1
: higher than : above
towered over my mother
flew over the lake
2
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 adjectiveˈō-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 prefix1
: 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)
More from Merriam-Webster on over
Nglish: Translation of over for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of over for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about over
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
Name That Flower
Can you tell the difference between a lilac and a...
Take the quiz
-
Are You Feeling Lucky?
A charming quiz about fortunate and unfortunate w...
Take the quiz
-
Spell It
Hear a word and type it out. How many can you get...
Take the quiz
-
Spelling Bee Quiz
Can you outdo past winners of the National Spelli...
Take the quiz
Share