over [1] (POSITION AND MOVEMENT)
In addition to the uses shown below, over is used after some verbs, nouns, and adjectives in order to introduce extra information. Over is also used in phrasal verbs such as `hand over' and `glaze over'.
1 prep If one thing is over another thing or is moving over it, the first thing is directly above the second, either resting on it, or with a space between them. , (Antonym: under)
He looked at himself in the mirror over the table., ...a bridge over the river Danube.
Over is also an adverb., adv ADV after v
...planes flying over every 10 or 15 minutes.
2 prep If one thing is over another thing, it is supported by it and its ends are hanging down on each side of it.
usu -ed PREP n
A grey mackintosh was folded over her arm..., Joe's clothing was flung over the back of a chair.
3 prep If one thing is over another thing, it covers part or all of it.
Mix the ingredients and pour over the mushrooms..., He was wearing a light-grey suit over a shirt..., He pulled the cap halfway over his ears.
Over is also an adverb., adv ADV after v
Heat this syrup and pour it over.
4 prep If you lean over an object, you bend your body so that the top part of it is above the object.
v PREP n
They stopped to lean over a gate..., Everyone in the room was bent over her desk.
Over is also an adverb., adv ADV after v
Sam leant over to open the door of the car.
5 prep If you look over or talk over an object, you look or talk across the top of it.
usu v PREP n
I went and stood beside him, looking over his shoulder., ...conversing over the fence with your friend...
6 prep If a window has a view over an area of land or water, you can see the land or water through the window.
n PREP n, v PREP n
(=onto)
...a light and airy bar with a wonderful view over the River Amstel...
7 prep If someone or something goes over a barrier, obstacle, or boundary, they get to the other side of it by going across it, or across the top of it.
v PREP n
I stepped over a broken piece of wood..., He'd just come over the border.
Over is also an adverb., adv ADV after v
I climbed over into the back seat.
8 prep If someone or something moves over an area or surface, they move across it, from one side to the other.
(=across)
She ran swiftly over the lawn to the gate..., Joe passed his hand over his face and looked puzzled.
9 prep If something is on the opposite side of a road or river, you can say that it is over the road or river.
(=across)
...a fashionable neighbourhood, just over the river from Manhattan.
10 adv If you go over to a place, you go to that place.
ADV after v, oft ADV to n
I got out the car and drove over to Dervaig..., I thought you might have invited her over.
11 adv You can use over to indicate a particular position or place a short distance away from someone or something.
ADV after v, oft ADV prep
He noticed Rolfe standing silently over by the window..., John reached over and took Joanna's hand...
12 adv You use over to say that someone or something falls towards or onto the ground, often suddenly or violently.
ADV after v
He was knocked over by a bus and broke his leg..., The truck had gone off the road and toppled over.
13 adv If something rolls over or is turned over , its position changes so that the part that was facing upwards is now facing downwards.
ADV after v
His car rolled over after a tyre was punctured..., The alarm did go off but all I did was yawn, turn over and go back to sleep.
14 All over a place means in every part of it.
all over prep-phrase
...the letters she received from people all over the world.
15 Over here means near you, or in the country you are in.
over here phrase usu PHR after v, v-link PHR
Why don't you come over here tomorrow evening...
16 Over there means in a place a short distance away from you, or in another country.
over there phrase usu PHR after v, v-link PHR
The cafe is just across the road over there..., She'd married some American and settled down over there.
