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overtime

/ˈoʊ.vɚ.taɪm/
noun/adverb★Intermediate— extra time worked beyond regular hours
formal

Time worked beyond one's regular working hours.

She earned extra pay for the overtime she put in last week.

She received additional compensation for hours worked beyond her standard schedule.

The company policy states that overtime must be approved in advance.

Overtime work requires prior authorization according to company rules.

💡

Overtime is often compensated at a higher hourly rate than regular pay.

informal

To work extra hours beyond the usual schedule.

I have to overtime this weekend to finish the report.

I need to work extra hours this weekend to complete the report.

💡

Common in informal contexts, especially in business or project management.

Collocations

work overtimeto perform extra hours of workpaid overtimeextra hours compensated at a higher rateovertime payadditional wages for extra hours workedovertime hoursthe number of hours worked beyond regular schedule

Synonyms

extra timeadditional hoursextra hours

Antonyms

regular hoursstandard timescheduled hours

💡Pro Tip

Distinguish between 'overtime' and 'extra time'

While 'overtime' specifically refers to hours worked beyond contractual or legal limits, 'extra time' can simply mean additional time spent on any task, regardless of compensation.

⚡Gold Rule

Overtime compensation

In many countries, overtime pay is legally required for hours worked beyond a standard threshold (e.g., 40 hours per week in the U.S.). Always check local labor laws.

📖Word Origin

From 'over-' (prefix meaning 'beyond') + 'time' (OE 'tīma'). First recorded in the early 20th century as a noun referring to time worked beyond normal hours.

📝Usage Notes

Overtime is commonly used in labor laws, employment contracts, and workplace discussions. It may be compensated financially or as compensatory time off in some jurisdictions.

Word Breakdown

over-
prefix meaning 'beyond' or 'exceeding'
prefix
+
time
a period during which an action or event takes place
root
English Dictionary

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