overhead
/ˈəʊ.və.hed/ (bre, ipa) · [ˈovɚhˈɛd] /ˈoʊ.vɚ.hed/ (ame, ipa) · [ˈovɚhˈɛd] /ˌō-vər-ˈhed/ (ame, mw) · /ˌəʊvəˈhed/ (bre, ipa) · [ˈovɚhˈɛd] /ˌəʊvərˈhed/ (ame, ipa)
overhead — adjective
- overheadpositive
- more overheadcomparative
- most overheadsuperlative
1. positioned over a person's head, often high in the air.
positioned over a person's head, often high in the air.
The crew checked the overhead wires before the parade began.
pattern: overhead + noun
An overhead light flickered above the hotel stairs all night.
collocation: overhead light
The bus slowed under an overhead bridge near the station.
A low overhead branch brushed Rosa's hat on the path.
- lower
in a lower position rather than above
- ground-level
at the level of the ground, not above people
文法句型
overhead + noun
用法筆記
Most often used before nouns such as light, wire, branch, or bridge. Distinguish from adverb sense 1, which usually comes after the verb: 'A helicopter hovered overhead.'
常見錯誤
2. connected with the general costs a company must pay to keep operating.
connected with the general costs a company must pay to keep operating.
Rising overhead costs forced the bakery to close on Mondays.
collocation: overhead costs
The manager cut overhead spending before hiring more weekend staff.
collocation: overhead spending
Our overhead budget includes rent, internet, and office cleaning.
High overhead charges can hurt a small shop quickly.
- operating
broad business word for costs or activity needed to keep something running
- indirect
accounting term for costs not tied to one product or job
- administrative
narrower, often referring to office and management expenses
- direct
used for costs tied to a specific product, service, or job
文法句型
overhead + costs
overhead + spending
overhead + budget
用法筆記
Usually modifies nouns such as costs, spending, charges, or budget. Distinguish from noun sense 2, which names the money itself rather than describing another noun.
常見錯誤
3. describes a racket shot struck with the racket raised over the player's head.
describes a racket shot struck with the racket raised over the player's head.
Mei won the point with a fast overhead smash.
collocation: overhead smash
The coach asked Ben to practice overhead shots after class.
pattern: overhead + shot
Lina's overhead clear pushed the shuttle deep into the corner.
During doubles, Leo missed an overhead shot at the net.
文法句型
overhead + smash
overhead + shot
overhead + clear
用法筆記
Common before nouns such as smash, shot, and clear in tennis or badminton. Distinguish from adjective sense 4, which is used for passes or throws made with the hands.
常見錯誤
4. describes a pass or throw made with the ball released from above the player's he
describes a pass or throw made with the ball released from above the player's head.
Nora threw an overhead pass to the tall center.
collocation: overhead pass
The drill starts with two quick overhead throws.
pattern: overhead + throw
From under the basket, Jay made an overhead pass outward.
The player used an overhead throw to beat the tight defense.
- underarm
thrown with the arm swinging from below
- chest-level
released from in front of the chest instead of above the head
文法句型
overhead + pass
overhead + throw
用法筆記
Used for hand-thrown balls in games such as basketball or handball. Distinguish from adjective sense 3, where the player hits the ball with a racket instead of throwing it.
常見錯誤
overhead — noun
- overheadsingular
- overheadsplural
1. a clear plastic sheet prepared with writing or images to show on a projector.
a clear plastic sheet prepared with writing or images to show on a projector.
Mrs. Chen placed the overhead on the projector before class.
pattern: put an overhead on a projector
Each group made an overhead with maps of the river.
pattern: make an overhead
The old machine jammed when Sam changed the overhead.
I found a dusty overhead in the science room cupboard.
- transparency
the standard older term for this clear sheet
- slide
broader and now often used for digital presentation pages too
- acetate
focuses on the plastic material rather than the teaching use
文法句型
put an overhead on + projector
make an overhead
用法筆記
This older classroom and office word refers to the transparent sheet, not usually to the machine. Modern speakers often use digital slides instead.
常見錯誤
2. the money a business must keep paying for basics like rent, power, insurance, an
the money a business must keep paying for basics like rent, power, insurance, and office support.
Rent is our biggest overhead at the city office.
collocation: biggest overhead
The cafe lowered overhead by sharing a kitchen next door.
collocation: lower overhead
Fuel, insurance, and storage add to the farm's overhead.
Investors worried that staff travel was pushing overhead too high.
- expenses
broad everyday word for money spent, including many kinds beyond business overhead
- operating costs
close business term for the costs of keeping a company or service running
- running costs
common term for regular continuing costs in daily operation
- fixed costs
narrower because only some overhead stays the same each month
- direct costs
costs that can be linked to one product, job, or unit of work
文法句型
cut overhead
lower overhead
keep overhead low
用法筆記
Often discussed in plural as 'overheads' when several company costs are grouped together. Distinguish from direct materials or labor that belong to one specific product or job.
常見錯誤
overhead — adverb
1. high above someone's head or up in the air.
high above someone's head or up in the air.
A helicopter hovered overhead for nearly ten minutes.
pattern: verb + overhead
Dark clouds gathered overhead as the market was closing.
We heard footsteps overhead from the flat above ours.
Lanterns swayed overhead while people crossed the night market.
- below
in a lower place rather than above the speaker
- underneath
directly under something rather than over the head
文法句型
[verb] + overhead
用法筆記
Usually follows verbs such as fly, hover, hang, gather, or hear. Distinguish from adjective sense 1, which comes before a noun: 'overhead wires'.