over|hang (overhangs , overhanging , overhung ) The verb is pronounced /oʊ və r hæ ŋ/. The noun is pronounced /oʊ və r hæŋ/. 1 VERB If one thing overhangs another, it sticks out over and above it. □ [V n] Part of the rock wall overhung the path at one point.
2 N‑COUNT An overhang is the part of something that sticks out over and above something else. □ [+ of ] A sharp overhang of rock gave them cover.
over|haul (overhauls , overhauling , overhauled ) The verb is pronounced /oʊ və r hɔː l/. The noun is pronounced /oʊ və r hɔːl/. 1 VERB [usu passive] If a piece of equipment is overhauled , it is cleaned, checked thoroughly, and repaired if necessary. □ [be V -ed] They had ensured the plumbing was overhauled a year ago. □ [have n V -ed] Our car was towed away to have its suspension overhauled. ● N‑COUNT Overhaul is also a noun. □ …the overhaul of aero engines.
2 VERB If you overhaul a system or method, you examine it carefully and make many changes in it in order to improve it. □ [V n] The government said it wanted to overhaul the employment training scheme. ● N‑COUNT Overhaul is also a noun. □ [+ of ] The study says there must be a complete overhaul of air traffic control systems.
over|head The adjective is pronounced /oʊ və r hed/. The adverb is pronounced /oʊ və r he d/. ADJ [ADJ n] You use overhead to indicate that something is above you or above the place that you are talking about. □ She turned on the overhead light and looked around the little room. ● ADV [ADV after v, oft be ADV ] Overhead is also an adverb. □ …planes passing overhead.
o ver|head pro|je c|tor (overhead projectors ) N‑COUNT An overhead projector is a machine that has a light inside it and can be used to make the writing or pictures on a sheet of plastic appear on a screen or wall. The abbreviation OHP is also used.
over|heads /oʊ və r hedz/ N‑PLURAL The overheads of a business are its regular and essential expenses, such as salaries, rent, electricity, and phone bills. [BUSINESS ] □ We are having to cut our costs to reduce overheads and remain competitive.
over|hear /oʊ və r h I ə r / (overhears , overhearing , overheard ) VERB If you overhear someone, you hear what they are saying when they are not talking to you and they do not know that you are listening. □ [V n] I overheard two doctors discussing my case.
over|heat /oʊ və r hiː t/ (overheats , overheating , overheated )
1 VERB If something overheats or if you overheat it, it becomes hotter than is necessary or desirable. □ [V ] The engine was overheating and the car was not handling well. □ [V n] Why do we pay to overheat pubs and hotels? ● over|heat|ed ADJ □ …that stuffy, overheated apartment.
2 VERB If a country's economy overheats or if conditions overheat it, it grows so rapidly that inflation and interest rates rise very quickly. [BUSINESS ] □ [V ] The private sector is increasing its spending so sharply that the economy is overheating. □ [V n] Their prime consideration has been not to overheat the economy. ● over|heat|ed ADJ □ …the disastrous consequences of an overheated market.
over|heat|ed /oʊ və r hiː t I d/ ADJ Someone who is overheated is very angry about something. □ I think the reaction has been a little overheated.
over|hung /oʊ və r hʌ ŋ/ Overhung is the past tense and past participle of overhang .
over|in|dulge /oʊ vər I ndʌ ldʒ/ (overindulges , overindulging , overindulged ) VERB If you overindulge , or overindulge in something that you like very much, usually food or drink, you allow yourself to have more of it than is good for you. □ [V ] We all overindulge occasionally. □ [V + in ] The urge to overindulge in food is powerful.
over|joyed /oʊ və r dʒɔ I d/ ADJ [v-link ADJ , oft ADJ to-inf] If you are overjoyed , you are extremely pleased about something. □ Shelley was overjoyed to see me. □ [+ at ] He was overjoyed at his son's return.
over|kill /oʊ və r k I l/ N‑UNCOUNT You can say that something is overkill when you think that there is more of it than is necessary or appropriate. □ Such security measures may well be overkill.
over|land /oʊ və r lænd/ ADJ [ADJ n] An overland journey is made across land rather than by ship or aeroplane. □ …an overland journey through Iraq, Turkey, Iran and Pakistan. □ The overland route is across some really tough mountains. ● ADV [ADV after v] Overland is also an adverb. □ They're travelling to Baghdad overland.
over|lap (overlaps , overlapping , overlapped ) The verb is pronounced /oʊ və r læ p/. The noun is pronounced /oʊ və r læp/. 1 VERB If one thing overlaps another, or if you overlap them, a part of the first thing occupies the same area as a part of the other thing. You can also say that two things overlap . □ [V n] When the bag is folded flat, the bag bottom overlaps one side of the bag. □ [V n] Overlap the slices carefully so there are no gaps. □ [V ] Use vinyl seam adhesive where vinyls overlap. □ [V n] The edges must overlap each other or weeds will push through the gaps.
2 VERB If one idea or activity overlaps another, or overlaps with another, they involve some of the same subjects, people, or periods of time. □ [V n] Elizabeth met other Oxford intellectuals, some of whom overlapped Naomi's world. □ [V + with ] Christian Holy Week overlaps with the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Passover. □ [V ] The needs of patients invariably overlap. ● N‑VAR Overlap is also a noun. □ [+ between ] …the overlap between civil and military technology.