overseas
oh-vuh-SEEZ
Overseas (adj) means Located in or coming from another country, typically across the sea. Example: “Many overseas students come to the town to study each autumn.”
adj
1
Located in or coming from another country, typically across the sea.
"Her overseas trip went well."
"Many overseas students come to the town to study each autumn."
"We received an overseas parcel full of sweets from my aunt."
"The company has several overseas offices."
adv
1
To or in a foreign country across the sea.
"My brother has been living overseas since he finished university."
"Do you often travel overseas on holiday, or do you stay at home?"
"She moved overseas for work last year."
How to use overseas
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAbroad — in or from another country, typically one you'd reach by crossing the sea.
Common pairings
overseas travel
overseas market
live overseas
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Etymology
From the older form oversea, with -s added; compare German Übersee and Dutch overzees.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for overseas
See all rhymes for overseas →Frequently asked questions
What does “overseas” mean?
The word “overseas” means located in or coming from another country, typically across the sea. In plain terms, abroad — in or from another country, typically one you'd reach by crossing the sea.
How do you pronounce “overseas”?
“Overseas” is pronounced oh-vuh-SEEZ (/ˌoʊvɚˈsiːz/ in IPA).
How do you use “overseas” in a sentence?
Here is “overseas” used in a sentence: “The company has several overseas offices.”
What part of speech is “overseas”?
Depending on how it is used, “overseas” can be an adjective and an adverb.
Where does the word “overseas” come from?
The word “overseas” comes from German. From the older form oversea, with -s added; compare German Übersee and Dutch overzees.
Is “overseas” a common word?
“Overseas” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “overseas” have?
“Overseas” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: located in or coming from another country, typically across the sea.
What is the difference between "overseas" and "abroad"?
Both mean in or to a foreign country, and they are often interchangeable. "Overseas" carries the sense of being across the sea, so it fits countries reached by crossing water. "Abroad" simply means any foreign country and works even for a neighbour reached by land.
Do you say "go overseas" or "go to overseas"?
You say "go overseas" with no preposition, because in that phrase "overseas" is an adverb, like "go abroad." Adding "to" is a common mistake. You can, however, say "go to an overseas office," where "overseas" is an adjective describing the noun.
Can "overseas" be used as both an adjective and an adverb?
Yes. As an adjective it comes before a noun, as in "overseas customers" or "overseas travel." As an adverb it follows a verb, as in "working overseas" or "shipped overseas." The spelling stays the same in both roles.
What is the difference between "overseas" and "international"?
"Overseas" describes something located in or coming from another country, usually across the sea, viewed from a home country's perspective. "International" describes something that involves or connects two or more countries. An overseas branch is in a foreign country, while an international agreement links several nations.
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