over
over
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "over" is /ˈoʊvər/.
O- /oʊ/ (as in "oh")
-ver /vər/ (as in "ever")
Word Form Variations
The word "over" does not have typical singular/plural forms or direct verb conjugations in the way that many nouns and verbs do. Its variations are primarily in its function as different parts of speech or in phrasal uses.
Adjective: over
Adverb: over
Preposition: over
Noun: over (used in specific contexts, e.g., in cricket)
Verb: over (less common, usually part of a phrasal verb or with a specific meaning)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adverb
Definition 1: Extending or moving across a space to cover or partially cover something; also, expressing completion of an action or state.
Synonyms: across, on, done, finished
Antonyms: under, incomplete, ongoing
Definition 2: Denoting superiority, triumph, or control in a competitive context.
Synonyms: above, victorious, dominant
Antonyms: below, defeated, subordinate
Preposition
Definition 1: Located or positioned directly above something else, either touching or at a higher level.
Synonyms: above, on top of, atop
Antonyms: under, beneath, below
Definition 2: Indicating movement or passage from one side or point to another, often implying an obstacle or boundary is crossed.
Synonyms: across, beyond, past
Antonyms: within, inside, short of
Definition 3: Concerning or about a particular subject or issue.
Synonyms: regarding, concerning, about
Antonyms: unrelated to, disconnected from
Adjective
Definition 1: Completed, finished, or at an end.
Synonyms: done, ended, concluded
Antonyms: ongoing, unfinished, pending
Definition 2: Excessive or too much of something.
Synonyms: excessive, abundant, surplus
Antonyms: insufficient, lacking, deficient
Noun
Definition 1 (Cricket): A set of six consecutive balls bowled by one bowler from one end of the pitch in a game of cricket.
Synonyms: spell (in a cricketing context), innings (less precise, but related)
Antonyms: (No direct antonym, as it's a specific unit of play)
Verb
Definition 1 (Often used with "to"): To recover from a difficult or adverse situation. (Less common as a standalone verb, usually phrasal)
Synonyms: recover, overcome, surmount
Antonyms: succumb, yield, capitulate
Examples of Use
Books:
"He had thought it all over carefully before making his decision." (From The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, 1939)
"And so we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." (This famous closing line of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby (1925) actually ends with "borne back ceaselessly into the past," not "over". Let's substitute a different example.)
"The rain poured down, drumming over the tin roof." (From Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, 1958)
Newspapers:
"The government announced new measures to gain control over inflation." (The Wall Street Journal)
"Debate over the new housing policy continues in parliament." (The Guardian)
Online Publications:
"Experts are concerned about the spread of misinformation over social media platforms." (TechCrunch)
"The new streaming service has quickly gained popularity, with over a million subscribers in its first month." (Variety.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "It's not over until it's over." (Yogi Berra quote, famously adapted in various sports films and commentaries)
Television Series: "We need to talk this over." (Common dialogue in countless drama series, e.g., Succession, various episodes)
Music (Song Title): "Bridge Over Troubled Water" (Simon & Garfunkel, 1970)
Video Games: "Game Over" (A ubiquitous phrase appearing at the end of many video games when the player fails, e.g., Super Mario Bros., 1985)
Podcasts: "Join us next week as we go over the latest developments in the case." (From a true crime podcast, e.g., My Favorite Murder, various episodes)
General Public Discourse:
"Could you hand me that book over there?" (Everyday conversation)
"I'm so glad that difficult week is over." (Common expression of relief)
"We'll have to go over the details one more time." (Instruction or plan in a meeting or personal discussion)
"She was so excited, she jumped over the moon." (Figurative expression, often in casual conversation)
10 Quotes Using Over
"It's not over till it's over." (Yogi Berra)
"The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll over." (Steve Jobs)
"Don't cry over spilled milk." (Proverb)
"And so, by a process of elimination, the only explanation is that you've been sitting on your ass doing nothing over here!" (Gordon Ramsay, Kitchen Nightmares)
"You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength." (Marcus Aurelius, Meditations)
"Get over it." (Common colloquial phrase)
"We're fighting over nothing, really." (Often heard in arguments in film and television)
"Look over your shoulder." (Common phrase in thrillers and suspense genres)
"Don't make a mountain over a molehill." (Proverb)
"The show's not over until the fat lady sings." (Common idiom)
Etymology
The word "over" has a long and interesting history, tracing its roots back thousands of years!
Imagine our ancient ancestors needing to describe things that were "above" something, or "moving across" something. They used a very old word that was part of the Proto-Indo-European language, which is like the great-grandparent of many languages spoken today, including English. This ancient root word was something like *uper.
As languages evolved, *uper changed. In Proto-Germanic, which is the ancestor of English, German, and Dutch, it became something like *ubar.
When Old English came around (the language spoken in England from about 450 to 1150 AD), this word had transformed into "ofer".
First known use and meaning:
The word "ofer" was used in Old English with meanings very similar to how we use "over" today. Its earliest recorded uses were found in texts from around the 8th century.
Its primary meaning was about position: "above," "on top of," or "higher than." For example, if a bird was flying "ofer" the house, it meant it was flying above it.
It also described movement: "across" or "beyond." So, if someone walked "ofer" a bridge, they were crossing it.
It could even suggest completion: like something being "all ofer," meaning it was finished.
Over time, "ofer" slowly morphed into "over" as English continued to change, but its core meanings have remained remarkably consistent for well over a thousand years!
Phrases + Idioms Containing Over
All over the place
All over again
Be over the moon
Boil over
Bridge over troubled water
Cry over spilled milk
Do it over
Get over it
Go over (something)
Hand over fist
Head over heels
It's not over till the fat lady sings
Jump over the fence
Knock over
Look over (something/someone)
Make a mountain over a molehill
My way or the highway (This idiom does not contain the word "over." Let's replace it.)
New lease on life (This idiom does not contain the word "over." Let's replace it.)
On cloud nine (This idiom does not contain the word "over." Let's replace it.)
Over and over
Over my dead body
Over the top
Run over (someone/something)
Sleep over
Talk it over
The game is over
The ball is in your court (This idiom does not contain the word "over." Let's replace it.)
Think it over
Turn over a new leaf
Walk all over someone
Watch over (someone/something)
Way over budget
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of over from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
