over - definition and synonyms

adverb, preposition 

Your browser doesn’t support HTML5 audio

Over can be used in the following ways:
as a preposition (followed by a noun or a pronoun): a bridge over the riverTwo men were fighting over her. (followed by a number or amount): It happened over a hundred years ago.
as an adverb (without a following noun): He fell over and broke his arm.
after the verb ‘to be’: The semester will be over soon.
  1. 1
    above someone/something
    1. a.
      in a higher position above someone or something, without touching them

      Perry glanced at the clock over the door.

      The Simpsons live in a flat over the shop.

      We could see the Angolan flag flying over the governor’s palace.

      She came and stood over him as he lay on the bed.

    2. b.
      moving across the space above someone or something

      Government troops fired a few shots over their heads.

  2. 2
    on someone or something and covering them

    She put her hands over her ears.

    Carlson replaced the blanket over the dead man.

    The roads were already covered over with a few feet of snow.

    all over:

    She spilled coffee all over my new dress.

  3. 3
    from one side of something to the other
    1. a.
      going or looking across from one side of something to the other

      Several bridges over the River Danube were destroyed.

      I crossed over to the other side of the street.

      From your window there is a magnificent view over the gardens.

    2. b.
      crossing something high such as a wall or mountain

      Three prisoners had escaped by climbing over a six-metre high fence.

      a four-day journey over the Taurus mountains

  4. 4
    on the opposite side of an area, line, road, river etc

    Sandra’s brother lives just over the road from our house.

    The airport was right over on the far side of Newcastle.

  5. 5
    into the opposite position
    1. a.
      from one lying position into another so that you face in a different direction

      He turned over and went to sleep.

      Rolling over on my back, I looked up at the sky.

    2. b.
      used for saying that something moves into a position in which the side that was facing down now faces up

      He turned the card over and saw that it was the ace of spades.

      The car skidded across the road and flipped over.

  6. 6
    in or to many parts of something
    1. a.
      in or to many different parts of an area

      The drought has spread over much of the southern US.

      Children were rushing around madly all over the place.

      all over:

      The festival attracts music lovers from all over the world.

    2. b.
      visiting or looking at many different parts of something

      A senior manager showed us over the factory.

  7. 7
    towards the side

    The main entrance is further over on the left.

    Pull over to the side of the road and let me drive.

    She leaned over and whispered in my ear.

    Would you move over and make room for me?

  8. 8
    in or to a particular place, for example a town or someone’s home

    Why don’t you come over and have dinner with us sometime?

    I think the kids are over at Pam’s place.

    Lawrence walked over to the window and looked out.

    over here/there:

    Helen was born in Australia, but she’s been living over here for 11 years.

  9. 9
    1. a.
      falling or bending down from an upright position

      I bent over to tie my shoe.

      I’ve brought you a glass of milk. Mind you don’t knock it over.

      Carey fell over and broke his leg while playing ice hockey.

    2. b.
      falling, hanging, or looking down from the edge of something

      Lava flowed over the rim of the volcano.

      Aileen was lying unconscious on the bed with her legs hanging over the side.

      I peered over the edge of the crater into the darkness below.

  10. 10
    used for saying what people disagree about or what they feel worried, sad, happy etc about

    There are worries over the future of the steel industry.

    We spent a whole hour arguing over the meaning of two words.

  11. 11
    when something has ended
    1. a.
      used for saying that a particular event, situation, or period of time has ended

      Moore’s fourth marriage was over after only 18 months.

      be all over:

      When the war began in August 1914, they said it would be all over by Christmas.

      over and done with (=completely dealt with):

      We’re all so relieved that the trial is over and done with.

    2. b.
      if you are over an illness, a shock, or a bad experience, it has ended and you are no longer affected by it

      Losing her brother was a terrible shock and she isn’t over it yet.

      Malaria is a serious illness and you’re not going to be over it in a couple of days.

      get over something:

      He’ll soon get over his disappointment.

  12. 12
    used for saying who or what is controlled or influenced by someone or something

    Kitchener demanded total control over the army.

    The Church today has little influence over the way people lead their lives.

    the period in which the Kaiser ruled over Germany

  13. 13
    mainly American if you do something over, you do it again

    We’re going to scrap the whole plan and start over.

     Synonyms and related words
  14. 14
    changing from one thing to another
    over to:

    We went over to Internet banking because it saved time and money.

    change/switch/swap/go over:

    In Sweden they switched over from driving on the left to driving on the right.

    You row and I’ll sit in the back of the boat and steer – then later on we’ll change over.

  15. 15
    1. a.
      during a period of time

      Over the last few years we have seen a sudden increase in the number of cases of food poisoning.

      Most hotels are fully booked over the holiday weekend.

    2. b.
      while having a meal or a drink

      Over coffee our host told us a little about the history of the house.

      We chatted over lunch.

  16. 16
    used when referring to the part of an amount that remains after some of it has been used
    left over:

    There was a lot of food left over after the party.

  17. 17
    more than a particular amount, number, or age

    Yeltsin was elected by a large majority with over 45 million votes.

    Over 50 per cent of the company’s shares are owned by the government.

    and over:

    The pension will be paid to people aged 65 and over.

  18. 18
    spoken used at the end of your turn in a radio conversation to show that you have finished speaking and the other person can speak
     Synonyms and related words
See also