overtake
9 synonyms for overtake, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To pass a slower vehicle, runner, or competitor ahead of you.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use overtake
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
overtake a car
overtake the leader
safely overtake
Etymology
From Middle English overtaken, built from over- + take, replacing an older verb overnimen with the same meaning.
Full origin of overtake →Frequently asked questions
What does “overtake” mean?
The word “overtake” means to pass a slower vehicle, runner, or competitor ahead of you. In plain terms, to catch up to and pass something or someone.
How do you pronounce “overtake”?
“Overtake” is pronounced oh-vuh-TAYK (/oʊ̯vɚˈteɪ̯k/ in IPA).
How do you use “overtake” in a sentence?
Here is “overtake” used in a sentence: “Streaming sales have overtaken physical album sales.”
What part of speech is “overtake”?
“Overtake” is a verb.
Where does the word “overtake” come from?
The word “overtake” comes from Middle English. From Middle English overtaken, built from over- + take, replacing an older verb overnimen with the same meaning.
Is “overtake” a common word?
“Overtake” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “overtake” have?
“Overtake” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to pass a slower vehicle, runner, or competitor ahead of you.
