Standard Lemma guide

overspread

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • UK: /əʊvəˈspɹɛd/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To spread over or across (something); cover over; be scattered over; permeate, overrun.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: bespread

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To be spread or scattered about.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

spread across or over

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • A big oil spot spread across the water

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: spread

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: cover, continue, extend

Narrower terms: transgress

History

Etymology

From Middle English overspreden, from Old English ofersprǣdan; equivalent to over- + spread. Cognate with Dutch overspreiden (“to overspread”), German überspreiten (“to overspread”).