English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com

overture

5 synonyms and 1 antonyms for overture, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A first approach or proposal made to start talks or a relationship.

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.

Antonyms

How to use overture

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

peace overtures make overtures orchestral overture

Etymology

From Old French overture, ultimately from Latin apertura ("opening"). It is a doublet of aperture.

Full origin of overture →

Frequently asked questions

What does “overture” mean?

The word “overture” means a first approach or proposal made to start talks or a relationship. In plain terms, an opening move toward agreement, or the musical introduction to a larger piece.

How do you pronounce “overture”?

“Overture” is pronounced OH-vuht-yoor (/ˈoʊvəɹt͡ʃəɹ/ in IPA).

How do you use “overture” in a sentence?

Here is “overture” used in a sentence: “The two countries made overtures toward peace.”

What is the opposite of “overture”?

The opposite of “overture” — its antonyms — is coda.

What part of speech is “overture”?

“Overture” is a noun.

Where does the word “overture” come from?

The word “overture” comes from Latin. From Old French overture, ultimately from Latin apertura ("opening"). It is a doublet of aperture.

How many meanings does “overture” have?

“Overture” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a first approach or proposal made to start talks or a relationship.

Related words

People also searched

Nearby words

← Back to the full definition of overture
Synonyms and antonyms from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.