# overtaken

/ˈoʊvɝˌteɪkən/ (US) · /ˌəʊvətˈeɪkən/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/overtaken
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

to catch up with and pass someone or something that is moving in front of you. It can also mean becoming more successful or important than someone else.

For teachers: past participle of 'overtake'; refers to the act of catching up with and passing a person or vehicle traveling in the same direction. Often used figuratively to describe surpassing a competitor in quantity, quality, or status.

## Examples

- The blue car has overtaken the slow truck.
- By the end of the decade, the small startup had overtaken its largest rival in total market share.
- The cyclist was quickly overtaken by the lead group as they began the steep ascent toward the mountain pass, leaving him struggling to maintain his pace in the thinning air.

## Usage notes

- The verb is transitive and takes a direct object; in the passive voice, it often describes being suddenly affected by a feeling or event.

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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.