overtake
oh-ver-TAKE
/ˌəʊvəˈteɪk/
To catch up with and pass while traveling in the same direction.
In racing, an overtake is the primary way to gain a position.
The story behind the word. A simple Germanic compound of 'over' and 'take,' meaning to literally take a position over or beyond another.
Word relationships
- pass: Pass is more general; overtake implies catching up from behind.
- fall behind: To lose ground to a competitor.
Commonly confused with
- bypass: Bypass means to go around something stationary; overtake is for moving objects.
Word family
- overtook (verb): Past tense of overtake.
- overtaken (verb): Past participle of overtake.
Collocations
- daring overtake
- clean overtake
- attempt to overtake
Example sentences
- "He managed to overtake three cars in a single lap." Race report
- "The demand for electric cars will soon overtake that for gasoline vehicles." General usage
Memory hook
Take the lead by going over (past) them. Pass to win.
When not to use
Avoid using it for simply passing someone on the sidewalk; 'pass' is more common there.
Fun facts
- In some racing series, 'overtake buttons' provide a temporary power boost to help drivers pass.
Explore more words
surpass, interception, outmaneuver, keep up, pass by, pull over
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