In addition to the uses shown below, over is used after some verbs, nouns, and adjectives in order to introduce extra information.Over is also used in phrasal verbs such as 'hand over' and 'glaze over'.
1. preposition
If one thing is over another thing or is moving over it, the first thing is directly above the second, either resting on it, or with aspace between them.
He looked at himself in the mirror over the table.
...a bridge over the river Danube.
...helicopters flying low over the crowd.
Synonyms: above, on top of, atop More Synonyms of over
Over is also an adverb.
...planes flying over every 10 or 15 minutes.
2. preposition
If one thing is over another thing, it is supported by it and its ends are hanging down on each side of it.
A grey mackintosh was folded over her arm.
Joe's clothing was flung over the back of a chair.
3. preposition
If one thing is over another thing, it covers part or all of it.
His hair fell over his brow instead of being brushed straight back.
Mix the ingredients and pour over the mushrooms.
He was wearing a light-grey suit over a shirt.
He pulled the cap halfway over his ears.
Over is also an adverb.
Heat this syrup and pour it over.
4. preposition
If you lean over an object, you bend your body so that the top part of it is above the object.
They stopped to lean over a gate.
Everyone in the room was bent over her desk.
Over is also an adverb.
Sam leant over to open the door of the car.
5. preposition
If you look over or talk over an object, you look or talk across the top of it.
I went and stood beside him, looking over his shoulder.
...conversing over the fence with your friend.
I heard various scraps of conversation over the dinner table.
6. preposition
If a window has a view over an area of land or water, you can see the land or water through the window.
...a light and airy bar with a wonderful view over the River Amstel.
His rooms looked out over a narrow lane behind the college.
Synonyms: across, past, (looking) onto More Synonyms of over
7. preposition
If someone or something goes over a barrier, obstacle, or boundary, they get to the other side of it by going across it, or across the top of it.
Policemen jumped over the wall of the Spanish Embassy in pursuit.
I stepped over a broken piece of wood.
He became the first to escape - over the fence, a few days before I took my leave.
He'd just come over the border.
Over is also an adverb.
I climbed over into the back seat.
8. preposition
If someone or something moves over an area or surface, they move across it, from one side to the other.
She ran swiftly over the lawn to the gate.
Joe passed his hand over his face and looked puzzled.
9. preposition
If something is on the opposite side of a road or river, you can say that it is over the road or river.
...Richard Garrick, who lived in the house over the road.
...a fashionable neighbourhood, just over the river from Manhattan.
10. adverb [ADVERB after verb]
If you go over to a place, you go to that place.
I got out the car and drove over to Dervaig. [+ to]
I thought you might have invited her over.
11. adverb [ADVERB after verb]
You can use over to indicate a particular position or place a short distance away from someone orsomething.
He noticed Rolfe standing silently over by the window.
John reached over and took Joanna's hand.
He tossed over a book.
12. adverb [ADVERB after verb]
You use over to say that someone or something falls towards or onto the ground, often suddenly or violently.
I remember falling over in a playground when I was a child.
He was knocked over by a bus and broke his leg.
The truck had gone off the road and toppled over.
13. adverb [ADVERB after verb]
If something rolls over or is turned over, its position changes so that the part that was facing upwards is now facing downwards.
His car rolled over after a tyre was punctured.
The alarm did go off but all I did was yawn, turn over and go back to sleep.
14.
See all over
15.
See over here
16.
See over there
17. the world over
More Synonyms of over
English Easy Learning GrammarPrepositionsA preposition is one of a small but very common group of words that relate differentitems to each other. Most English prepositions have a number of meanings ... Read more
over amounts and occurrences
(oʊvəʳ)
1. preposition
If something is over a particular amount, measurement, or age, it is more than that amount, measurement, or age.
I carried out a survey of over a thousand patients.
I met George well over a year ago.
...equipment costs of over £100m.
Over is also an adverb.
...people aged 65 and over.
2.
See over and above
3. adverb [beADVERB, noun ADVERB, ADVERB after verb]
If you say that you have some food or money over, you mean that it remains after you have used all that you need.
Larsons pay me well enough, but there's not much over for luxuries when there's twoof you.
Primrose was given an apple, left over from our picnic lunch.
4. adverb [ADVERB after verb]
If you do something over, you do it again or start doing it again from the beginning.
[US]
She said if she had the chance to do it over, she would have hired a press secretary.
Dave, the pianist, played it over a couple of times.
5.
See twice over
6.
See over again
7.
See all over again
8.
See over and over
over other uses
(oʊvəʳ)
Word forms: plural overs
1. adjective [verb-link ADJECTIVE]
If an activity is over or allover, it is completely finished.
Warplanes that have landed there will be kept until the war is over.
The bad times were over.
I am glad it's all over.
2. preposition
If you are over an illness or an experience, it has finished and you have recovered from its effects.
I'm glad that you're over the flu.
She was still getting over the shock of what she had been told.
3. preposition
If you have control or influence over someone or something, you are able to control them or influence them.
He's never had any influence over her.
For two decades she has sought complete control over her film career.
The oil companies have lost their power over oil price and oil production.
4. preposition
You use over to indicate what a disagreement or feeling relates to or is caused by.
The women were making a fuss over nothing.
...public concern over the possible relationship between behaviour and the intakeof certain food additives.
Staff at some air and sea ports are beginning to protest over pay.
They had already begun fighting over her.
Synonyms: about, regarding, relating to, with respect to More Synonyms of over
5. preposition
If something happens over a particular period of time or over something such as a meal, it happens during that time or during the meal.
The number of attacks on the capital had gone down over the past week.
Many strikes over the last few years have not ended successfully.
Over breakfast we discussed plans for the day.
...discussing the problem over a cup of coffee.
6. preposition
You use over to indicate that you give or receive information using a phone, radio, or other piece of electrical equipment.
I'm not prepared to discuss this over the phone.
The head of state addressed the nation over the radio.
Announcements were made over the loudspeaker system.
7. phrase
The presenter of a radio or television programme says 'over to someone' to indicate the person who will speak next.
With the rest of the sports news, over to Colin Maitland.
8. convention
When people such as the police or the army are using a radio to communicate, they say 'Over' to indicate that they have finished speaking and are waiting for a reply.
[formulae]
9. countable noun
In cricket, an over consists of six correctly bowled balls.
At the start of the last over, the Welsh county were favourites.
over-
(oʊvəʳ-)
prefix
You can add over- to an adjective or verb to indicate that a quality exists or an action is done to too great an extent. Forexample, if you say that someone is being over-cautious, you mean that they are beingtoo cautious.
Tony looked tired and over-anxious.
When depressed, they dramatically overindulge in chocolate and sweets.
over in British English
(ˈəʊvə)
preposition
1.
directly above; on the top of; via the top or upper surface of
over one's head
2.
on or to the other side of
over the river
3.
during; through, or throughout (a period of time)
4.
in or throughout all parts of
to travel over England
5.
throughout the whole extent of
over the racecourse
6.
above; in preference to
I like that over everything else
7.
by the agency of (an instrument of telecommunication)
we heard it over the radio
8.
more than
over a century ago
9.
on the subject of; about
an argument over nothing
10.
while occupied in
discussing business over golf
11.
having recovered from the effects of
she's not over that last love affair yet
12. over and above
adverb
13.
in a state, condition, situation, or position that is or has been placed or put oversomething
to climb over
14. (particle)
so as to cause to fall
knocking over a police officer
15.
at or to a point across intervening space, water, etc
come over and see us
over in America
16.
throughout a whole area
the world over
17. (particle)
from beginning to end, usually cursorily
to read a document over
18.
throughout a period of time
stay over for this week
19.
(esp in signalling and radio) it is now your turn to speak, act, etc
20.
more than is expected or usual
not over well
21. over again
22. over against
23. over and over
24. over the odds
adjective
25. (postpositive)
finished; no longer in progress
is the concert over yet?
adverb, adjective
26.
remaining; surplus (often in the phrase left over)
noun
27. cricket
a.
a series of six balls bowled by a bowler from the same end of the pitch
b.
the play during this
Word origin
Old English ofer; related to Old High German ubir, obar, Old Norse yfir, Latin super, Greek huper
over- in British English
prefix
1.
excessive or excessively; beyond an agreed or desirable limit
overcharge
overdue
oversimplify
2.
indicating superior rank
overseer
3.
indicating location or movement above
overhang
4.
indicating movement downwards
overthrow
over in American English
(ˈoʊvər)
preposition
1.
a.
in, at, or to a position up from; higher than; above
a canopy over the bed, in water over his knees
b.
on top of
a blanket over the bed
c.
above, in various figurative uses
gloom hung over the town; the lecture went over our heads
2.
across and down from or down upon
to fall over a cliff, to trip over a chair
3.
while engaged in; during
we discussed it over dinner
4.
upon the surface of
spread the icing over the cake
5.
so as to cover or close
shutters over the windows
6.
upon: said as of an effect or influence
he cast a spell over them
7.
so as to show care, concern, etc. for
watching over a flock, hovering over the baby
8.
above in authority, position, power, etc.
to rule over a nation
9.
authorized or attested by
over his signature
10.
in a course leading along or across, or above and to the other side of
fly over the lake
11.
on the other side of
a city over the border
12.
a.
here and there in
the tourists dashed over the city
b.
through all parts of
carefully going over my notes
13.
during; through
over the past ten years
14.
more than, or above, in degree, amount, number, etc.
a moderate increase over his current salary, a gift costing over five dollars
15.
up to and including; until after
stay over Easter
16.
in preference to
chose the red hat over the blue one
17.
in spite of; in successful opposition to
we did it over his objections
18.
about; concerning
a quarrel over politics
19.
through the medium of; on
over the telephone or radio
20. Arithmetic
divided by
6 over 3 is 2
adverb
21.
a.
above, across, or to the other side
b.
across the brim or edge
22.
more; in excess; beyond
three hours or over
23.
longer or till a time later
please stay over
24.
throughout or covering the entire area
the wound healed over
25.
from start to finish; through
go over it again
26.
a.
from an upright position
to fall over
b.
upside down; into an inverted position
turn the cup over
27.
again; another time
do it over
28.
at or on the other side, as of an intervening space, or at or to a specified place
over in England, come over here
29.
from one side, belief, viewpoint, etc. to another
they won him over
30.
from one person, etc. to another
hand over the money
see also get over, at get, put over, at put
adjective
31.
upper, outer, superior, excessive, or extra
often in combination [overcoat, overseer, oversupply]
32.
done with; finished; past
his life is over
33.
having reached the other side; having got across
34. Informal
as a surplus; in excess; extra
to be three hours over for the week
noun
35.
something in addition; excess; surplus
36. Cricket
a.
the set number of balls bowled during a single turn at one end of the wicket
b.
the period of time during which this takes place
37. Military
a shot that hits or explodes beyond the target
verb transitive
38.
to pass above and across
interjection
39.
turn the page, sheet, etc. over
40.
I have finished speaking for the moment — please respond: used in radio communication
Idioms:
over again
over all
over and above
over and over (again)
Word origin
ME ouer < OE ofer, akin to Ger über, ober < IE *uper (orig. a compar. of *upo, up) > L super, Gr hyper
over- in American English
(ˈoʊvər)
1.
a.
above in position, over, outer, upper
overhead
b.
superior, eminent
overlord
2.
a.
passing across or beyond
overshoot, overpass, overrun
b.
passing over the top or the brim of
overflow
3.
denoting movement downward from above
overwhelm
4.
across the surface of
overgrowth, overprint
5.
more (than), excessive, too much, beyond the normal, extra
overrate, oversell, oversleep
6.
overly; excessively
overeager, overlong
The following list includes some of the more common compounds formed with over- that can be understood if “too much” or “excessively” is added to the meaning ofthe base word:
ˌoverˈactive
ˌoveramˈbitious
ˌoverˈanxious
ˌoveratˈtentive
ˌoverˈbold
ˌoverˈbusy
ˌoverˈcareful
ˌoverˈcareless
ˌoverˈcautious
overcautiously
overcautiousness
ˌoverˌconsciˈentious
ˌoverconˈservative
overconsumption
ˌoverˈcook
ˌoverˈcritical
overdecorate
ˌoverdeˈpendent
ˌoverˈeager
overeagerness
ˌovereˈmotional
ˌoverˈemphaˌsize
ˌoverenˌthusiˈastic
ˌoverˈexerˌcise
ˌoverexˈpansion
ˌoverˈfed
overfeed
ˌoverˈfond
overgenerosity
ˌoverˈgenerous
overgenerously
ˌoverˈgreedy
ˌoverˈhasty
ˌoverinˈdulge
overinflate
overmedicate
ˌoverˈorganˌize
ˌoverˈpraise
ˌoverpreˈcise
overprivileged
ˌoverˈprize
ˌoverreˈfined
overrefinement
ˌoverreˈligious
ˌoverˈripe
ˌoverˈsensitive
ˌoverˌsentiˈmental
ˌoversoˈlicitous
ˌoverˈspecialˌize
ˌoverˈstimuˌlate
overstimulation
ˌoverˈstretch
ˌoverˈstrict
ˌoverˈsubtle
ˌoversufˈficient
ˌoversusˈpicious
oversweeten
overswing
overtip
ˌoverˈtire
overutilization
overutilize
ˌoverˈzealous
overzealousness
Examples of 'over' in a sentence
over
They didn’t have enough men to maintain permanent control over the area.
Smithsonian Mag (2017)
We want to give people back control over the devices that control them.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Allow them to cool slightly before rubbing a little mustard over their surface.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
She found her head hanging over one edge.
The Sun (2016)
She asked me to go over to look through the plans.
The Sun (2016)
And the exodus is unlikely to be over yet.
The Sun (2017)
Reading it back was painful all over again.
The Sun (2016)
But the consistency we're looking for is over a series.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You need partnerships all over the pitch - and especially at the back.
The Sun (2017)
They all impose far harsher controls over the monarchy than any other department.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
They are not just a shambles at the back but all over the pitch.
The Sun (2015)
He looked pretty shocked and ran away with his hand over one eye.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
We were just a team that played total football all over the pitch.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The dogs have to jump over poles and go through tunnels.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Yet questions over his bike handling remain.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
You buy the same things over and over again.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
When the truck finally pulled over officers grabbed the man using pepper spray.
The Sun (2015)
So it was good to see him go over near the end.
The Sun (2011)
We are in danger of getting back into an arms race over pay again.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Whisk the wine vinegar and olive oil and pour over the top.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Over six years the condition worsened as other bodily noises joined in.
The Sun (2011)
The pair grew close over two years while having gruelling hospital treatment for lung disease cystic fibrosis.
The Sun (2011)
It became a global giant as use of mobile phones boomed over the next two decades.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Together they will take over the restructuring of the investment bank.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
We will carry a series of reports over the next few weeks on what is being built and where.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
There has been much argument over these figures as attempts are made to find an explanation which is upheld by research findings.
Knowles, Jane Know Your Own Mind (1991)
He says it's only over when he says.
The Sun (2010)
You take some money in an envelope, say something pertinent while you're handing it over- and that's when I step in.
Fraser, Christine Marion NOBLE BEGINNNINGS
Mary-Lou caught it in the end and handed it to her with a laughing, `Better pull it well down over- " when she stopped short.
Brent-Dyer, Elinor ADRIENNE AND THE CHALET SCHOOL
But dawn also meant another night's work was almost over- and I'd have to unhook from the rhythm and routine of the department.
Pritchard, John NIGHT SISTERS
Jupe was sure now that they were in for more trouble before the trip was over- real trouble!
Dhondy, Farrukh JANAKY AND THE GIANT (1993)
Quotations
It ain't over till it's overattributed to Yogi Berra
In other languages
over
British English: over /ˈəʊvə/ ADJECTIVE
If something is over, it has finished.
The class is over.
American English: over
Arabic: مُنْتَهِي
Brazilian Portuguese: acabado
Chinese: 上面的
Croatian: gotov
Czech: skončený
Danish: overstået
Dutch: voorbij
European Spanish: acabado
Finnish: ohi
French: fini
German: beendet
Greek: ολοκληρωμένος
Italian: terminato
Japanese: 終わって
Korean: 끝난
Norwegian: over
Polish: skończony
European Portuguese: acabado
Romanian: terminat
Russian: законченный
Latin American Spanish: acabado
Swedish: särskild
Thai: ที่จบสิ้น
Turkish: bitmiş
Ukrainian: закінчитися
Vietnamese: đã xong
British English: over /ˈəʊvə/ PREPOSITION
If one thing is over another thing, the first thing is above or higher than the second thing.