What Does "Over" Mean? Three Meanings of "Over"
As a small word, "over" can have multiple meanings in English. Here are three of the most common meanings of "over":
1. Over as a Preposition
One of the most common meanings of "over" is as a preposition. In this context, "over" means "above" or "higher than." Here are some examples:
- The plane flew over the mountains.
- She hung the picture over the sofa.
- The bird flew over the roof of the house.
In each of these examples, "over" is used to indicate a position that is higher than something else.
2. Over as an Adverb
Another meaning of "over" is as an adverb. In this context, "over" means "finished" or "completed." Here are some examples:
- Are you over your cold yet?
- He was over the moon when he heard the news.
- She was over the shock of the accident by the next day.
In each of these examples, "over" is used to indicate that something has been completed or finished.
3. Over as a Verb
Finally, "over" can also be used as a verb. In this context, "over" means "to think about something carefully" or "to consider." Here are some examples:
- I need to mull over this decision before I make it.
- Let's go over the details of the plan one more time.
- He pored over the manuscript for hours, looking for errors.
In each of these examples, "over" is used to indicate a process of careful consideration or examination.
Conclusion
As you can see, "over" can have multiple meanings in English. Whether it's used as a preposition, adverb, or verb, "over" can convey different ideas and concepts depending on the context in which it's used.