Skip to content
WORDS, MADE CLEAR.
Your everyday English companion

English dictionary

overlap Meaning & Definition

/ˌəʊvəˈlæp/

What Does Overlap Mean?

Overlap is used as a verb meaning To extend over and partly cover something. It is also used to mean To co-occur, to happen at the same time. As a noun, it means Something that overlaps or is overlapped.

Overlap in Brief

Part of speechverb, noun
Pronunciation/ˌəʊvəˈlæp/
Synonymsconvergence, lap and intersection
Pluraloverlaps
Verb formsoverlaps, overlapping, overlapped

Overlap Definition (Verb)

  1. To extend over and partly cover something.

    The mouse-mat overlapped the edge of the desk.

  2. To co-occur, to happen at the same time.
  3. To have an area, range, character or function in common.

    The two maps overlapped at the east and west edges.

  4. Of sets: to have some elements in common.

    The set (all men) overlaps the set (vegetarians).

  5. To have some similar nucleotide sequences.
  6. An illusion of depth is created when one object partially covers another.

Overlap as a Noun

  1. Something that overlaps or is overlapped.
  2. a situation in the game where an attacking line has more players in it than the defensive line coming to meet it. The attacking side may exploit the overlap by using their superior numbers to break the opposition's defensive line. If attackers outnumber defenders by more than one player this is often termed a two man overlap or three man overlap, etc. If the attacking side fails to break through usually due to poor execution, they are said to waste an overlap.
  3. The payment of a spouse's or other dependant's annuity benefits concurrently with the member's benefits, on death of the member during the guarantee period.

Synonyms of Overlap

Overlap synonyms and antonyms →

Overlap in a Sentence

The mouse-mat overlapped the edge of the desk.

The two maps overlapped at the east and west edges.

The set (all men) overlaps the set (vegetarians).

Word Forms & Grammar

overlap (third-person singular simple present overlaps, present participle overlapping, simple past and past participle overlapped)

overlap (plural overlaps)

Words That Rhyme With Overlap

Origin of Overlap

Origin 1: From over- +‎ lap.

Origin 2: Cognate with Dutch overlap.

Overlap: Your Questions Answered

Is overlap a verb or a noun?

Overlap is mainly used as a verb, but it can also be used as a noun.

What is another word for overlap?

You can replace overlap with words such as convergence, lap and intersection. See the full list of overlap synonyms and antonyms.

What is the plural of overlap?

The plural of overlap is overlaps.

What is the past tense of overlap?

The past tense of overlap is overlapped. The present participle is overlapping.

More About Overlap On Meaning Stash

Overlap In Our Articles

More Words Starting With “Over”