over|view /oʊ və r vjuː/ (overviews ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] An overview of a situation is a general understanding or description of it as a whole. □ [+ of ] The central section of the book is a historical overview of drug use.
over|ween|ing /oʊ və r wiː n I ŋ/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you want to emphasize your disapproval of someone's great ambition or pride, you can refer to their overweening ambition or pride. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ 'Your modesty is a cover for your overweening conceit,' she said.
over|weight /oʊ və r we I t/ ADJ Someone who is overweight weighs more than is considered healthy or attractive. □ Being even moderately overweight increases your risk of developing high blood pressure.
over|whelm /oʊ və r h we lm/ (overwhelms , overwhelming , overwhelmed )
1 VERB If you are overwhelmed by a feeling or event, it affects you very strongly, and you do not know how to deal with it. □ [be V -ed] He was overwhelmed by a longing for times past. □ [V n] The need to talk to someone, anyone, overwhelmed her. ● over|whelmed ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] □ [+ by ] Sightseers may be a little overwhelmed by the crowds and noise.
2 VERB If a group of people overwhelm a place or another group, they gain complete control or victory over them. □ [V n] It was clear that one massive Allied offensive would overwhelm the weakened enemy.
over|whelm|ing ◆◇◇ /oʊ və r h we lm I ŋ/
1 ADJ If something is overwhelming , it affects you very strongly, and you do not know how to deal with it. □ The task won't feel so overwhelming if you break it down into small, easy-to-accomplish steps. □ She felt an overwhelming desire to have another child. ● over|whelm|ing|ly ADV [ADV adj] □ …the overwhelmingly strange medieval city of Fès.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You can use overwhelming to emphasize that an amount or quantity is much greater than other amounts or quantities. [EMPHASIS ] □ The overwhelming majority of small businesses go broke within the first twenty-four months. □ The vote was overwhelming–283 in favour, and only twenty-nine against. ● over|whelm|ing|ly ADV [usu ADV with v, oft ADV adj] □ The House of Commons has overwhelmingly rejected calls to bring back the death penalty for murder.
over|work /oʊ və r wɜː r k/ (overworks , overworking , overworked ) VERB If you overwork or if someone overworks you, you work too hard, and are likely to become very tired or ill. □ [V ] He's overworking and has got a lot on his mind. □ [V n] He overworks and underpays the poor clerk whom he employs. ● N‑UNCOUNT Overwork is also a noun. □ He died of a heart attack brought on by overwork. ● over|worked ADJ □ …an overworked doctor.
over|worked /oʊ və r wɜː r kt/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe a word, expression, or idea as overworked , you mean it has been used so often that it no longer has much effect or meaning. □ 'Ecological' has become one of the most overworked adjectives.
over|wrought /oʊ və r rɔː t/ ADJ Someone who is overwrought is very upset and is behaving in an uncontrolled way. □ One overwrought member had to be restrained by friends.
ovu|late /ɒ vjʊle I t/ (ovulates , ovulating , ovulated ) VERB When a woman or female animal ovulates , an egg is produced from one of her ovaries. □ [V ] Some girls may first ovulate even before they menstruate. ● ovu|la|tion /ɒ vjʊle I ʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT □ By noticing these changes, the woman can tell when ovulation is about to occur.
ovum /oʊ vəm/ (ova ) N‑COUNT An ovum is one of the eggs of a woman or female animal. [TECHNICAL ]
ow /aʊ / EXCLAM ' Ow! ' is used in writing to represent the noise that people make when they suddenly feel pain. □ Ow! Don't do that!
owe ◆◇◇ /oʊ / (owes , owing , owed )
1 VERB If you owe money to someone, they have lent it to you and you have not yet paid it back. You can also say that the money is owing . □ [V n + to ] The company owes money to more than 60 banks. □ [V n n] Blake already owed him nearly £50. □ [V n] I'm broke, Livy, and I owe a couple of million dollars. □ [V ] He could take what was owing for the rent.
2 VERB [no passive] If someone or something owes a particular quality or their success to a person or thing, they only have it because of that person or thing. □ [V n + to ] He owed his survival to his strength as a swimmer. □ [V n n] I owe him my life.
3 VERB If you say that you owe a great deal to someone or something, you mean that they have helped you or influenced you a lot, and you feel very grateful to them. □ [V n to ] As a professional composer, I owe much to Radio 3. □ [V n n] He's been fantastic. I owe him a lot.
4 VERB If you say that something owes a great deal to a person or thing, you mean that it exists, is successful, or has its particular form mainly because of them. □ [V n to ] She is the first to admit that her career path owes a lot to good fortune.
5 VERB If you say that you owe someone gratitude, respect, or loyalty, you mean that they deserve it from you. [FORMAL ] □ [V n n] Perhaps we owe these people more respect. □ [V n n] I owe you an apology. You must have found my attitude very annoying. □ [V n + to ] I owe a big debt of gratitude to her.