overtime
OH-vuh-tym
Overtime (noun) means Extra time worked beyond someone's normal hours, or the higher pay for that work. Example: “Several nurses agreed to do overtime during the busy winter weeks.”
noun
1
Extra time worked beyond someone's normal hours, or the higher pay for that work.
"Several nurses agreed to do overtime during the busy winter weeks."
"She worked overtime to finish the project before the deadline."
"The factory pays time-and-a-half for overtime."
2
An added period of play used to settle a tied game in sport.
"After ninety minutes of play, the score was level, so they went into overtime."
"The crowd cheered when the home team scored in overtime."
"The match went to overtime after both teams finished level."
How to use overtime
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishExtra hours worked past the normal shift, or extra playing time in sport.
Common pairings
work overtime
paid overtime
go into overtime
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Word forms
- Plural
- overtimes
- Third person singular
- overtimes
- Past tense
- overtimed
Fill the gap
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Several nurses agreed to do _____ during the busy winter weeks.
Etymology
From over- + time.
Synonyms
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extra time
extra hours
additional hours
Rhymes for overtime
See all rhymes for overtime →Frequently asked questions
What does “overtime” mean?
The word “overtime” means extra time worked beyond someone's normal hours, or the higher pay for that work. In plain terms, extra hours worked past the normal shift, or extra playing time in sport.
How do you pronounce “overtime”?
“Overtime” is pronounced OH-vuh-tym (/ˈoʊ.vɚˌtaɪm/ in IPA).
How do you use “overtime” in a sentence?
Here is “overtime” used in a sentence: “She worked overtime to finish the project before the deadline.”
What part of speech is “overtime”?
“Overtime” is a noun.
Is “overtime” a common word?
“Overtime” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “overtime” have?
“Overtime” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: extra time worked beyond someone's normal hours, or the higher pay for that work.
What is the difference between 'overtime' and 'extra time'?
In sport, American English uses 'overtime' for the added period that settles a tied game, while British English usually calls it 'extra time', especially in football. In the workplace, 'overtime' refers to hours worked beyond someone's normal schedule.
What is the difference between overtime and time and a half?
Overtime is the extra time worked beyond normal hours, while 'time and a half' describes one common rate of pay for it, meaning 1.5 times the usual hourly wage. Overtime is the hours; time and a half is one way those hours may be paid.
What is the difference between overtime and comp time?
Overtime is usually paid as extra wages for hours worked beyond the normal schedule. Comp time, short for compensatory time, gives paid time off instead of extra pay, though the rules for each vary by employer and jurisdiction.
Is overtime paid at a higher rate?
Overtime often carries a higher rate of pay than regular hours, which is part of what the word can refer to. The exact rate depends on the employer, contract, and local labour laws, so it is not automatically higher everywhere.
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