EnglishMain Dictionary
over
Universal Words
adverb, preposition, noun
adverb
HELPNOTE For the special uses of over in phrasal verbs, look at the entries for the verbs. For example take sth over is in the phrasal verb section at take.
1 downwards and outwards from an upright position:
Try not to knock that vase over. * The wind must have blown it over.
2 from one side to another side:
She turned over onto her front. * The car skidded off the road and rolled over and over.
3 across a street, an open space, etc:
I stopped and crossed over. * He rowed us over to the other side of the lake. * They have gone over to France. * This is my aunt who's over from Canada. * I went over (= across the room) and asked her name. * Let's ask some friends over (= to our home). * Put it down over there.
4 so as to cover sb/sth completely:
The lake was frozen over. * Cover her over with a blanket.
5 above; more:
children of 14 and over * You get an A grade for scores of 75 and over.
6 remaining; not used or needed:
If there's any food left over, put it in the fridge.
7 again:
He repeated it several times over until he could remember it. * (AmE) It's all wrong-you'll have to do it over.
8 ended:
By the time we arrived the meeting was over. * Thank goodness that's over! * I was glad when it was over and done with.
9 used to talk about sb/sth changing position:
He's gone over to the enemy (= joined them). * Please change the wheels over (= for example, put the front wheels at the back). * Hand over the money!
10 used when communicating by radio:
Message received. Over (= it is your turn to speak). * Message understood. Over and out.
IDIOMS
(all) over again a second time from the beginning:
He did the work so badly that I had to do it all over again myself.
over against sth in contrast with sth
over and over (again) many times; repeatedly:
I've told you over and over again not to do that.
over to you used to say that it is sb's turn to do sth
preposition
HELPNOTE For the special uses of over in phrasal verbs, look at the entries for the verbs. For example get over sth is in the phrasal verb section at get.
1 resting on the surface of sb/sth and partly or completely covering them/it:
She put a blanket over the sleeping child. * He wore an overcoat over his suit. * She put her hand over her mouth to stop herself from screaming.
2 in or to a position higher than but not touching sb/sth; above sb/sth:
They held a large umbrella over her. * The balcony juts out over the street. * There was a lamp hanging over the table.
3 from one side of sth to the other; across sth:
a bridge over the river * They ran over the grass. * They had a wonderful view over the park.
4 on the far or opposite side of sth:
He lives over the road.
5 so as to cross sth and be on the other side:
She climbed over the wall.
6 falling from or down from a place:
The car had toppled over the cliff. * He didn't dare look over the edge.
7 (all) ~ in or on all or most parts of sth:
Snow is falling all over the country. * They've travelled all over the world. * There were papers lying around all over the place.
8 more than a particular time, amount, cost, etc:
over 3 million copies sold * She stayed in Lagos for over a month. * He's over sixty.
9 used to show that sb has control or authority:
She has only the director over her. * He ruled over a great empire. * She has editorial control over what is included.
10 during sth:
We'll discuss it over lunch. * Over the next few days they got to know the town well. * We're away over (= until after) the New Year.
11 past a particular difficult stage or situation:
We're over the worst of the recession. * It took her ages to get over her illness.
12 because of or concerning sth; about sth:
an argument over money * a disagreement over the best way to proceed
13 using sth; by means of sth:
We heard it over the radio. * She wouldn't tell me over the phone.
14 louder than sth:
I couldn't hear what he said over the noise of the traffic. -< ABOVE
IDIOMS
over and above in addition to sth:
There are other factors over and above those we have discussed.
noun (in cricket) a series of six balls BOWLED by the same person:
Chadwick dismissed two batsmen in the same over.