overtake
/oʊ̯vɚˈteɪ̯k/ verb B2- To pass a slower moving object or entity (on the side closest to oncoming traffic). · The racehorse overtook the lead pack on the last turn.· The car was so slow we were overtaken by a bus.
- To become greater than something else in quantity, worth, etc. · Grocery sales in the north have overtaken those in the south.
- To take by surprise; surprise and overcome; carry away. · Our plans were overtaken by events.
He/she/it overtakes · Past overtook · Past participle overtaken · -ing form overtaking
Verb forms
- Base form
- overtake
- He/she/it
- overtakes
- Past
- overtook
- Past participle
- overtaken
- -ing form
- overtaking
An irregular verb: learn its past and past participle by heart.
From the library
The Hunter ran after him, as if he was sure of overtaking him, but the Horseman increased more and more the distance between them.
For a moment the idea of struggling crossed his mind, and of so ending the unexpected evil that had overtaken him.
Anne could run like a deer, however; run she did with the impish result that she overtook the boys at the door and was swept into the schoolhouse among them just as Mr.
Even the tiger runs and hides when little Tabaqui goes mad, for madness is the most disgraceful thing that can overtake a wild creature.
Other matches
Learn overtake in real texts
With a free account, hover any word in the library for its meaning, hear it read aloud, save words for review timed to your memory, and see how much of each book you already know.