ENGLISH
REFERENCE

over

prep. · adv. · adj. · n. · interj.
US //ˈoʊvɝ// UK //ˈəʊvɐ// over
  1. 1 above or covering (prep.)
    A1 Beginner

    in a position higher than something, or covering it.

    positioned vertically above or extending across the surface of something.

    Example

    She put a warm blanket over the sleeping child.

    Example

    The heavy clouds hung low over the valley, obscuring the mountain peaks from view.
  2. 2 across to the other side (prep.)
    A1 Beginner

    from one side of something to the other.

    expressing movement across a space, barrier, or surface from one side to another.

    Example

    The dog jumped over the fence to chase the ball.

    Example

    The hikers struggled to carry their equipment over the narrow stone bridge.
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  1. 3 more than (prep.)
    A1 Beginner

    higher than a particular number, amount, or age.

    exceeding a specified numerical value, quantity, or limit.

    Example

    There were over fifty people waiting in line for the tickets.

    Example

    The project cost significantly over the original budget due to unforeseen structural issues.
  2. 4 during a time (prep.)
    A2 Elementary

    throughout a period of time.

    occurring during or throughout the duration of a specified period.

    Example

    We discussed the new plan over lunch yesterday.

    Example

    The company's reputation grew steadily over the next decade as they expanded into international markets.
  3. 5 movement to a place (adv.)
    A2 Elementary

    moving toward a person or a specific location.

    indicating movement toward a specific destination or the speaker's location.

    Example

    Why don't you come over to my house this evening?

    Example

    He walked over to the window to get a better look at the street below.
  4. 6 again (adv.)
    B1 Intermediate

    doing something one more time, often because the first time was not good.

    indicating repetition, often from the beginning.

    Example

    I made too many mistakes, so I had to start the essay over.

    Example

    The director asked the actors to do the scene over until the timing was perfect.
  5. 7 finished (adj.)
    A2 Elementary

    when something has reached its end.

    having reached a conclusion or end state.

    Example

    I am so glad the winter is finally over.

    Example

    Once the meeting was over, the staff gathered in the breakroom to discuss the announcements.
  6. 8 cricket (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate British English Sport

    a set of six balls bowled in the game of cricket.

    a sequence of six legal deliveries bowled from one end of the pitch.

    Example

    The bowler took two wickets in his final over of the match.

    Example

    The captain decided to change the bowling attack after a particularly expensive over.

  7. 9 radio communication (interj.)
    B1 Intermediate Technical

    you say this on a radio to show you have finished speaking and want an answer.

    a procedural word used in radio telephony to signal the end of a transmission while expecting a response.

    Example

    I have reached the target location, over.

    Example

    The pilot confirmed the coordinates and ended the transmission with a crisp 'over'.
Etymology 1

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *úp Proto-Indo-European *-er Proto-Indo-European *upér Proto-Germanic *uber Proto-West Germanic *obar Old English ofer Middle English over English over From Middle English over, from Old English ofer, from Proto-West Germanic obar, from Proto-Germanic uber (“over”), from Proto-Indo-European upér, related to upó. Akin to Scots ower (“over”), Yola oer, ower, owr (“over”), Saterland Frisian uur (“over”), West Frisian oer (“over, across”), Cimbrian übar (“over”), Dutch over (“over”), German ober, über, ueber (“over, above”), Limburgish euver, övver (“over”), Low German över, üöver (“over”), Luxembourgish iwwer (“over”), Mòcheno iber (“over”), Yiddish איבער (iber, “over”), Danish, Norwegian Bokmål over (“over”), Faroese yvir (“over”), Icelandic yfir (“over”), Norwegian Nynorsk over, yver, yvi (“over”), Swedish över (“over”), Gothic 𐌿𐍆𐌰𐍂 (ufar, “over”), Latin super (“over, above”), Ancient Greek ὑπέρ (hupér, “over, above”), Albanian upri (“group of peasants”), Waigali var, vari, Sanskrit उपरि (upári, “over”). Doublet of uber, super, and hyper.

Etymology 2

From Middle English over (“riverbank, seashore, brink”), from Old English ōfer (“riverbank, seashore, brink, edge, margin, border”), from Proto-Germanic *ōferaz. Cognate with Dutch oever (“riverbank, shore”), German Ufer (“shore, shoreline, riverbank”), Low German Över (“shore, riverbank”).

Word family

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