overtime

American  

[oh-ver-tahym, oh-ver-tahym] / ˈoʊ vərˌtaɪm, ˌoʊ vərˈtaɪm /

noun

1. working time before or after one's regularly scheduled working hours; extra working time.

2. pay for such time (straight time ).

3. time in excess of a prescribed period.

4. Sports. an additional period of play for deciding the winner of a game in which the contestants are tied at the end of the regular playing period.

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adverb

1. during overtime.

   to work overtime.

adjective

1. of or for overtime.

   overtime pay.

verb (used with object)

overtimed, overtiming

1. to give too much time to (a photographic exposure).

overtime British  

noun

1. 1. work at a regular job done in addition to regular working hours

   2. ( as modifier )

      overtime pay

2. the rate of pay established for such work

3. time in excess of a set period

4. sport extra time

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adverb

1. beyond the regular or stipulated time

verb

1. (tr) to exceed the required time for (a photographic exposure)

Etymology

Origin of overtime

First recorded in 1530–40; over- + time

Example Sentences

Official congressional and administration estimates didn’t include a count of overtime claims, but their revenue projections were right in line with the Tax Policy Center and Yale.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

Unlike a straightforward increase in the child tax credit, projecting the overtime deduction requires knowing people’s incomes, work patterns and likelihood of altering behavior because of the new break.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

The deduction, set to expire after 2028, has income caps and specific federal requirements for qualifying overtime pay.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

For single filers, the deduction for overtime earnings—the “half” of “time and a half” pay—is capped at $12,500 and starts phasing out when income reaches $150,000.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

Although I hadn’t yet chosen St. Sebastian as my patron saint, he must have been working overtime, because I felt hardly any pain in my ankle after surgery.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles