overtake
- 01 B1 Intermediate
v.to go past a slower vehicle or person moving in the same direction.
v.to catch up with and pass a slower-moving vehicle or entity, typically on the side closest to oncoming traffic.
Simple“The driver waited for a clear road before trying to overtake the slow truck.”
In context“The cyclist checked his shoulder and signaled before accelerating to overtake the group of pedestrians blocking the narrow lane.”
UsageIn British English, this is the standard term for passing a car; American English speakers more commonly use 'pass'.
Antonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to become greater, more successful, or more important than something else.
v.to surpass or exceed another in quantity, value, importance, or status.
Simple“Online sales are expected to overtake physical store sales by next year.”
In context“The small startup managed to overtake its established competitors within three years by focusing exclusively on mobile user experience.”
Antonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
v.to happen to someone suddenly or unexpectedly, especially a feeling or a bad situation.
v.to come upon or affect someone suddenly and unexpectedly; to overwhelm.
Simple“A sudden feeling of sadness overtook him as he looked at the old photos.”
In context“The travelers were overtaken by a violent storm before they could reach the safety of the mountain hut.”
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the act of driving past another vehicle.
n.the maneuver of passing another vehicle or competitor.
Simple“That was a dangerous overtake on such a sharp corner.”
In context“The race was decided in the final lap by a daring overtake on the inside of the hairpin turn.”
Synonymspassing maneuver
From Middle English overtaken, likely a replacement alteration (as the Middle English verb taken replaced nimen (“to take”)), of Middle English overnimen (“to overtake”), from Old English oferniman (“to take by surprise, overtake”), equivalent to over- + take.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.