Definition

1. Adverb:

   • Above or across a space: Used to indicate movement or position from one side to the other, or across something.
   • Throughout an area or period: Used to indicate that something is spread across a surface or happens during a duration.
   • Finished or ended: Used to indicate that an event, period, or action has concluded.
   • In excess or more than: Used to indicate an amount or degree beyond a certain point.

2. Preposition:

   • Above or higher than: Used to indicate a position directly above something, or a covering position.
   • Across from one side to the other: Used to indicate movement or extension across a surface or obstacle.
   • During, throughout: Used to indicate a period of time during which something happens.
   • More than: Used to indicate a number or amount exceeding a limit.
   • Concerning, about: Used to indicate the subject of discussion, thought, or feeling.

3. Adjective:

   • Finished, ended: Describes a situation or event that has concluded.

4. Noun:

   • (Cricket): A division of play in which six balls are bowled from one end of the pitch.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:

  • Please come over and visit us. (Indicates movement across a space.)
  • The meeting is over. (Indicates something has ended.)
  • She has friends all over the world. (Indicates throughout an area.)
  • Children aged 12 and over must pay full price. (Indicates more than a limit.)

• Preposition:

  • There is a bridge over the river. (Indicates position above.)
  • He jumped over the fence. (Indicates movement across an obstacle.)
  • We talked over a cup of coffee. (Indicates during an activity.)
  • It costs over twenty dollars. (Indicates more than an amount.)
  • They argued over money. (Indicates the subject of discussion.)

• Adjective:

  • The game is over. (Describes a concluded event.)

• Noun:

  • The bowler completed a maiden over. (Refers to a cricket term.)

Advanced Usage

• "Over and above": In addition to, besides.

  • He received a bonus over and above his salary.

• "Over and over (again)": Repeatedly, many times.

  • She read the letter over and over.

• "To be over with": To be finished, especially something unpleasant.

  • I'm glad the exam is over with.

Variants and Related Words

• Overly (adverb): To an excessive degree.

  • He was overly cautious.

• Over- (prefix): Used to form words meaning "too much" (e.g., overcook, overconfident, overload).

  • The pasta is overcooked.

Synonyms

• Above (preposition): At a higher level or layer than.
• Across (preposition): From one side to the other of.
• Finished (adjective): Brought to an end; completed.
• Throughout (preposition & adverb): In every part of; during the whole period of.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Hand over: To give something to someone else, especially authority or possession.

  • The thief was forced to hand over the money.

• Take over: To begin to have control of something.

  • She will take over as manager next month.

• Get over:

  • To recover from an illness or unpleasant experience.

    • It took him weeks to get over the flu.
  • To overcome a problem or difficulty.

    • We need to get over this obstacle.

• Look over: To examine something quickly.

  • Can you look over this report for me?

Related Idioms

• Over the moon: Extremely happy or delighted.

  • She was over the moon about her promotion.

• Over my dead body: Used to say that you will do everything you can to prevent something from happening.

  • You'll sell the house over my dead body!

• Over the hill: No longer young or past one's prime.

  • He doesn't run marathons anymore; he thinks he's over the hill.

Adjective

1. having come or been brought to a conclusion
   • the harvesting was complete
   • the affair is over, ended, finished
   • the abruptly terminated interview

Adverb

1. over the entire area
   • the wallpaper was covered all over with flowers
   • she ached all over
   • everything was dusted over with a fine layer of soot
2. beyond the top or upper surface or edge; forward from an upright position;
   • a roof that hangs over
3. throughout a period of time
   • stay over the weekend
4. throughout an area
   • he is known the world over
5. at or to a point across intervening space etc.
   • come over and see us some time
   • over there

Noun

1. (cricket) the division of play during which six balls are bowled at the batsman by one player from the other team from the same end of the pitch