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REFERENCE

overtime

n. · adv.
US //ˈoʊvɝˌtaɪm// UK //ˈəʊvətˌaɪm// over·time
  1. 1 extra work hours (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    time that you spend working at your job in addition to your normal working hours.

    time worked in addition to one's regular or scheduled working hours. Uncountable in this sense.

    Example

    I have been working a lot of overtime lately to finish the project before the deadline.

    Example

    The department was forced to authorize significant overtime to ensure the software migration was completed before the Monday morning shift began.
    • extra hours
  2. 2 extra pay (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the extra money you are paid for working more than your usual hours.

    the rate of pay, typically higher than the standard hourly wage, for work performed beyond regular hours.

    Example

    The company pays time-and-a-half as overtime for anyone working on a Sunday.

    Example

    The union negotiated a contract that guarantees double-time overtime for any shifts exceeding twelve consecutive hours.
    • premium pay
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  1. 3 extra period in sports (n.)
    B1 Intermediate American English Sport

    an extra period of play in a game when the score is tied at the end of regular time.

    an additional period of play used to determine a winner when a contest ends in a draw after regulation time.

    Example

    The basketball game was so close that it went into overtime.

    Example

    After a scoreless fourth quarter, the championship was decided in a dramatic overtime period that lasted less than three minutes.
    • extra time
  2. 4 working extra (adv.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    working for a longer time than is usually required.

    in a manner that exceeds regular or standard working hours.

    Example

    The factory had to work overtime to meet the sudden increase in orders.

    Example

    The medical staff worked overtime throughout the weekend to manage the influx of patients following the local emergency.
    Pitfall
    He has been working over time.
    He has been working overtime.

    Use 'overtime' as one word for extra work hours. 'Over time' as two words means 'gradually' or 'as time passes'.

Origin

From over- + time.

Idioms1 entry

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