Prefix over- (Meanings, Uses, and 30 Common Words)
Hello English learners. Welcome to a new lesson! Today, we are looking at 30 useful words formed with the prefix over-, along with clear meanings and natural example sentences. The prefix over- comes from Old English and is extremely productive in modern English. It usually adds the idea of “too much,” “above,” or “beyond a normal limit.” Understanding it will help you guess the meaning of many new words — a classic vocabulary skill that never goes out of fashion.
What does the prefix over- mean?
The prefix over- can express several related ideas:
1. Above or across
Something is physically higher than, or covering, something else.
overhead, overpass
2. Excess or too much
Something goes beyond what is normal, necessary, or healthy.
overeat, overwork, overestimate
3. Completion or total change
An action is done completely or decisively.
overcome, overthrow
4. Control or dominance
One person or thing gains power over another.
overpower, overbearing
30 Words with the Prefix over-
| Overachieve | to perform better than expected | She consistently overachieves in every project. |
| Overactive | excessively active | His overactive imagination often causes unnecessary worry. |
| Overanalyse | to think about something too much | She tends to overanalyse simple decisions. |
| Overarm | done with the arm raised (sports) | He practised his overarm throw in training. |
| Overbearing | dominating or controlling | His overbearing manner made meetings uncomfortable. |
| Overbook | to accept too many reservations | The airline had overbooked the flight. |
| Overcharge | to charge too much money | Tourists were overcharged at the café. |
| Overcoat | a long coat worn over clothes | He put on his overcoat before leaving the house. |
| Overcook | to cook for too long | The vegetables were overcooked and tasteless. |
| Overcrowded | too full of people or things | The bus was overcrowded during rush hour. |
| Overdo | to do something excessively | Don’t overdo the seasoning. |
| Overdraw | to spend more money than you have | She accidentally overdrew her account. |
| Overeat | to eat too much | People often overeat during holidays. |
| Overestimate | to judge something as greater than it is | He overestimated how long the task would take. |
| Overflow | to spill because there is too much | The bath overflowed while she was on the phone. |
| Overgrown | covered with uncontrolled plant growth | The path was overgrown with weeds. |
| Overheat | to become too hot | The engine overheated on the motorway. |
| Overjoyed | extremely happy | She was overjoyed by the news. |
| Overlap | to partly cover or coincide | The two meetings overlapped. |
| Overload | to put too much weight or pressure on | Don’t overload yourself with work. |
| Overpaid | paid more than is deserved | Some executives are clearly overpaid. |
| Overpower | to defeat using strength | The guard managed to overpower the attacker. |
| Overqualified | having more skills than required | He felt overqualified for the position. |
| Overrate | to value too highly | Critics often overrate popular films. |
| Overreact | to react too strongly | Try not to overreact to small problems. |
| Overshadow | to dominate or draw attention away | Her success was overshadowed by the scandal. |
| Oversimplify | to make something too simple | The article oversimplifies a complex issue. |
| Oversleep | to sleep longer than intended | I overslept and missed the train. |
| Overthrow | to remove a government by force | The rebels planned to overthrow the regime. |
| Overwork | to work too much | He became ill after overworking himself. |
Final tip for learners
When you see a new word with over-, pause and ask yourself:
Does it mean “too much,” “above,” or “beyond normal limits”?
Learn about the suffix -SHIP here
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