over

overpreposition

Over describes a place higher than something or a movement up and across it, and so also covering something, being more than something, controlling something, and filling a period of time.

1. higher thanabove or higher than something, usually without touching it

   • A lamp hung over the table.
   • There's an old bridge over the river.
   • Planes fly low over our house.
   • She held an umbrella over her head.

   Collocations

   verb + preposition hang over, fly over, lean over, bend over

   Antonyms under

   Compare above (above is a fixed position higher than something; over can also mean directly over it, covering it, or moving across it); on

2. acrossfrom one side of something to the other, going up and above it or along its surface

   • The horse jumped over the fence.
   • We walked over the bridge into town.
   • He climbed over the wall.
   • She looked at me over her glasses.

   Collocations

   verb + preposition jump over, climb over, walk over, look over the wall

   Compare across (across is along a flat surface or a line; over often means going up and down again, above something in the way)

   1. aon the other side of something

      • Their farm is just over the hill.
      • My friend lives over the river from us.

3. coveringcovering or lying on the surface of something

   • She put a blanket over the sleeping child.
   • He wore a coat over his suit.
   • She pulled the sheet over her head.
   • Pour the sauce over the pasta.

   Collocations

   verb + preposition put something over, pour something over, spread something over, wear something over

   1. ain or to every part of a place

      Usually in the phrase all over.

      • There were toys all over the floor.
      • She has traveled all over the world.
      • He spilled coffee all over his shirt.

4. more thanmore than an amount, a number, or an age

   • Over a hundred people came to the party.
   • The tickets cost over fifty dollars.
   • This film is for people over eighteen.
   • We waited for well over an hour.

   Collocations

   phrase well over, just over, over half, over a year

   Antonyms under

   Compare above (both are used for more than a number; above is usual for a level on a scale: above zero, above average)

5. duringduring a period of time, or while doing something

   • I'll think about it over the weekend.
   • Prices have gone up over the past few years.
   • We talked about the plan over lunch.
   • She stayed with us over the summer.

   Collocations

   phrase over the weekend, over the summer, over the years, over lunch, over a cup of coffee

6. controlhaving power or control over someone or something, or a higher position than them

   • Parents have a lot of influence over their children.
   • The king ruled over a large country.
   • She lost control over the car on the ice.

   Collocations

   noun + preposition control over, power over, influence over, authority over

7. aboutabout or because of something, especially something people argue or worry about

   • They had a big argument over money.
   • There's no point crying over it now.
   • The two countries fought over the land.

   Collocations

   verb + preposition argue over, fight over, worry over

   noun + preposition an argument over, a fight over

   Compare about (about is the general word; over is common with arguing, fighting, and worrying)

8. by phone or radiousing a phone, a radio, or a system of speakers

   • We discussed it over the phone.
   • I heard the news over the radio.
   • An announcement came over the speakers.

   Collocations

   phrase over the phone, over the radio, over the speakers, over the internet

9. rather thanrather than, when choosing between two things

   • I'd choose tea over coffee any day.
   • They picked the older player over the younger one.
   • She chose a career in music over medicine.

   Collocations

   verb + preposition choose something over, pick something over, prefer something over

10. above a noiseabove the sound of a louder noise, so that it can or cannot be heard

    • I couldn't hear her over the music.
    • He had to shout over the noise of the engine.

    Collocations

    phrase over the noise, over the music

See also over (with no noun after it: Come over); get over; take over