over|lay /oʊ və r le I / (overlays , overlaying , overlaid )
1 VERB [usu passive] If something is overlaid with something else, it is covered by it. □ [be V -ed + with ] The floor was overlaid with rugs of oriental design.
2 VERB If something is overlaid with a feeling or quality, that feeling or quality is the most noticeable one, but there may be deeper and more important ones involved. [WRITTEN ] □ [be V -ed + with ] The party had been overlaid with a certain nervousness. □ [V n] …a surge of feeling which at this moment overlaid all others.
over|leaf /oʊ və r liː f/ ADV [n ADV , oft ADV after v] Overleaf is used in books and magazines to say that something is on the other side of the page you are reading. □ Answer the questionnaire overleaf.
over|load (overloads , overloading , overloaded ) The verb is pronounced /oʊ və r loʊ d/. The noun is pronounced /oʊ və r loʊd/. 1 VERB If you overload something such as a vehicle, you put more things or people into it than it was designed to carry. □ [V n] Don't overload the boat or it will sink. □ [V n] Large meals overload the digestive system. ● over|load|ed ADJ □ Some trains were so overloaded that their suspension collapsed.
2 VERB To overload someone with work, problems, or information means to give them more work, problems, or information than they can cope with. □ [V n + with ] …an effective method that will not overload staff with yet more paperwork. ● N‑UNCOUNT Overload is also a noun. □ 57 per cent complained of work overload. □ The greatest danger is that we simply create information overload for our executives. ● over|load|ed ADJ □ The bar waiter was already overloaded with orders.
3 VERB If you overload an electrical system, you cause too much electricity to flow through it, and so damage it. □ [V n] Never overload an electrical socket.
over|look /oʊ və r lʊ k/ (overlooks , overlooking , overlooked )
1 VERB If a building or window overlooks a place, you can see the place clearly from the building or window. □ [V n] Pretty and comfortable rooms overlook a flower-filled garden.
2 VERB If you overlook a fact or problem, you do not notice it, or do not realize how important it is. □ [V n] We overlook all sorts of warning signals about our own health.
3 VERB If you overlook someone's faults or bad behaviour, you forgive them and take no action. □ [V n] …satisfying relationships that enable them to overlook each other's faults.
over|lord /oʊ və r lɔː r d/ (overlords )
1 N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as an overlord , you mean that they have great power and are likely to use it in a bad way. [WRITTEN ] □ [+ of ] They hosted a mega-event to reflect their status as the overlords of entertainment. □ The running of Welsh rugby was left in chaos yesterday after a vote of no confidence in the game's overlords.
2 N‑COUNT In former times, an overlord was someone who had power over many people. □ Henry II was the first king to be recognized as overlord of Ireland.
over|ly /oʊ və r li/ ADV Overly means more than is normal, necessary, or reasonable. □ Employers may become overly cautious about taking on new staff.
over|manned /oʊ və r mæ nd/ ADJ If you say that a place or an industry is overmanned , you mean that you think there are more people working there or doing the work than is necessary. □ Many factories were chronically overmanned.
over|man|ning /oʊ və r mæ n I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT If there is a problem of overmanning in an industry, there are more people working there or doing the work than is necessary.
over|much /oʊ və r mʌ tʃ/ ADV [usu ADV after v, oft ADV -ed] If something happens overmuch , it happens too much or very much. [FORMAL ] □ He was not a man who thought overmuch about clothes.
over|night ◆◇◇ /oʊ və r na I t/ (overnights , overnighting , overnighted )
1 ADV [ADV after v] If something happens overnight , it happens throughout the night or at some point during the night. □ The decision was reached overnight. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Overnight is also an adjective. □ Travel and overnight accommodation are included.
2 ADV [ADV after v] You can say that something happens overnight when it happens very quickly and unexpectedly. □ The rules are not going to change overnight. □ Almost overnight, she had aged ten years and become fat. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Overnight is also an adjective. □ In 1970 he became an overnight success in America.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] Overnight bags or clothes are ones that you take when you go and stay somewhere for one or two nights. □ He realized he'd left his overnight bag at Mary's house.
4 VERB If you overnight somewhere, you spend the night there. □ [V prep/adv] They had told her she would be overnighting in Sydney. ● N‑COUNT Overnight is also a noun. □ Overnights can be arranged.
over|paid /oʊ və r pe I d/
1 ADJ If you say that someone is overpaid , you mean that you think they are paid more than they deserve for the work they do. □ …grossly overpaid corporate lawyers.
2 → see also overpay
over|pass /oʊ və r pɑːs, -pæs/ (overpasses ) N‑COUNT An overpass is a structure which carries one road over the top of another one. [mainly AM ] □ …a $16 million highway overpass over Route 1. in BRIT, usually use flyover