overcast
/,ouvə'kɑ:st/
Definition
Adjective:
- Cloudy, covered with clouds: Describes the sky when it is completely or mostly covered by clouds, often implying dull, gray weather.
- Gloomy, somber: Can describe a metaphorical atmosphere that is dark, dismal, or depressing.
Noun:
- A covering of clouds: The condition of the sky when it is obscured by clouds.
- A stitch in sewing: A long, slanting stitch used, especially in bookbinding or on fabric edges, to prevent fraying.
- In fishing/casting: A cast that goes beyond the intended target.
Verb:
- To become cloudy or covered with clouds: For the sky or weather to become clouded over.
- To sew with an overcast stitch: To sew over an edge with long, slanting stitches to finish it and prevent unraveling.
- To cast beyond a target: To throw something, like a fishing line, too far.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- The day was overcast and chilly, perfect for staying indoors.
- His overcast mood matched the gloomy weather outside.
Noun:
- The weather forecast predicts overcast for the entire weekend.
- She finished the seam with a neat overcast.
Verb:
- Dark clouds began to overcast the sky by afternoon.
- Remember to overcast the raw edges of the fabric to stop them from fraying.
Advanced Usage
Meteorological term: In weather reports, "overcast" is a specific technical term meaning the sky is more than 95% covered by clouds.
- The aviation warning was issued due to persistent overcast conditions at the airport.
Literary/figurative use: Used to describe a pervasive feeling of sadness or foreboding.
- An overcast sense of dread hung over the proceedings.
Variants and Related Words
Overcasting (n): The act or technique of sewing an overcast stitch.
- The overcasting on this antique book is still intact.
Overcastness (n, rare): The state or quality of being overcast.
- To overcast (v) - Bookbinding: A specific method of sewing the sections of a book together.
Synonyms
- Adjective (cloudy): Clouded, cloudy, sunless, gray, leaden, murky.
- Adjective (gloomy): Gloomy, dismal, somber, bleak, dreary.
- Verb (to cloud): Cloud over, darken, obscure.
Related Phrasal Verbs/Phrases
(Note: "Overcast" is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. Its verbal uses are as defined above.) - To be/become overcast: The standard phrase for describing the sky becoming cloudy. - It became overcast very quickly.
Related Idioms
- An overcast sky/heart: A common metaphorical pairing where the weather reflects an internal emotional state.
- She tried to smile, but her heart was an overcast sky.
Adjective
-
filled or abounding with clouds
Noun
-
a cast that falls beyond the intended spot
-
a long whipstitch or overhand stitch overlying an edge to prevent raveling
-
gloomy semidarkness caused by cloud cover
-
the state of the sky when it is covered by clouds
Verb
-
sew with an overcast stitch from one section to the next
-
overcast books
-
-
sew over the edge of with long slanting wide stitches
-
make overcast or cloudy
-
Fall weather often overcasts our beaches
-
Khám phá thêm
Các từ liên quan
Từ đồng nghĩa
Từ tương tự
Từ chứa "overcast"
Từ có nhắc đến "overcast"
