/ ˈəʊvə(r); NAmE ˈoʊ-/ adverb , preposition , noun
■ adverb
HELP NOTE : 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 away from a vertical 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.
( NAmE )
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
- over against sth
- over and over (again)
- over to you
■ preposition
HELP NOTE : 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.
She has not changed much over the years.
He built up the business over a period of ten years.
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.
➡ note at above
•
IDIOMS
- over and above
■ noun
( in cricket ) a series of six balls bowled by the same person
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English ofer , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch over and German über , from an Indo-European word (originally a comparative of the element represented by -ove in above ) which is also the base of Latin super and Greek huper .