# overlap

/ˈoʊvɝˌɫæp/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/overlap
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to cover part of

verb · CEFR B2

to cover part of another object by resting on top of its edge.

For teachers: to extend over and partly cover something else. Often used as a transitive verb or an intransitive verb with 'with'.

- The roof tiles overlap each other so that rain cannot get through.
- The geologist noted that the sedimentary layers overlap at the edge of the basin, indicating a period of rising sea levels.

### 2. to share qualities or time

verb · CEFR B2 · Academic

to happen at the same time or to share some of the same ideas.

For teachers: to have an area, range, character, or time period in common. Frequently used in academic contexts to describe shared theoretical or temporal space.

- Our jobs overlap a bit because we both work on the same project.
- The two historical eras overlap by nearly a decade, creating a transitional period where both old and new social norms existed simultaneously.

### 3. a shared area or part

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

the part of something that covers another thing, or the amount of shared interest.

For teachers: the amount or degree to which two things cover each other or share common elements.

- There is a lot of overlap between the two science courses.
- The study identified a significant overlap in the symptoms of the two conditions, making an accurate diagnosis difficult for general practitioners.

### 4. extra players

noun · CEFR C1 · British English

a situation in a game where one team has more players in an area than the other team.

For teachers: a tactical situation in which the attacking side outnumbers the defensive line in a specific area of the field.

- The team missed a great chance because they didn't use the overlap on the left wing.
- By drawing the central defenders out of position, the winger created a two-man overlap that led directly to the winning goal.

## Examples

- There is some overlap between the two projects.
- The schedule shows a thirty-minute overlap between the morning and afternoon shifts to allow for a smooth handover.
- The study explores the significant overlap between traditional folk motifs and modern abstract geometry, suggesting a shared visual language across centuries.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.