overture
Americannoun
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an opening or initiating move toward negotiations, a new relationship, an agreement, etc.; a formal or informal proposal or offer.
overtures of peace; a shy man who rarely made overtures of friendship.
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Music.
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an orchestral composition forming the prelude or introduction to an opera, oratorio, etc.
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an independent piece of similar character.
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an introductory part, as of a poem; prelude; prologue.
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(in Presbyterian churches)
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the action of an ecclesiastical court in submitting a question or proposal to presbyteries.
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the proposal or question so submitted.
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verb (used with object)
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overtures,
present (3rd person singular)
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overtured,
past participle, past
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overturing
present participle
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to submit as an overture or proposal.
to overture conditions for a ceasefire.
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to make an overture or proposal to.
to overture one's adversary through a neutral party.
noun
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music
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a piece of orchestral music containing contrasting sections that is played at the beginning of an opera or oratorio, often containing the main musical themes of the work
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a similar piece preceding the performance of a play
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Also called: concert overture. a one-movement orchestral piece, usually having a descriptive or evocative title
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a short piece in three movements ( French overture or Italian overture ) common in the 17th and 18th centuries
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(often plural) a proposal, act, or gesture initiating a relationship, negotiation, etc
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something that introduces what follows
verb
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to make or present an overture to
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to introduce with an overture
Synonym Usage
See proposal.
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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overturesimple
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overturessimple
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have overturedperfect
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has overturedperfect
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am overturingprogressive
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are overturingprogressive
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is overturingprogressive
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have been overturingperfect progressive
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has been overturingperfect progressive
Past
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overturedsimple
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had overturedperfect
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was overturingprogressive
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were overturingprogressive
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had been overturingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of overture
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Old French; see overt, -ure; doublet of aperture
Explanation
An overture is a piece of music played by an orchestra at the beginning of an opera or play. When an overture begins, the actors take their places and wait for the curtain to rise. The noun overture can also mean "a suggestion or approach designed to get a reaction." Your romantic overture of singing to your girlfriend in the restaurant was met with an embarrassed stare. An overture can also be an event that comes first, like your story about how the after-school program has helped hundreds of kids, an overture to the plea for donations you made next.
Vocabulary lists containing overture
To Kill a Mockingbird
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This Week in Words: December 30, 2017 - January 5, 2018
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This Week In Words: Current Events Vocab for October 3–9, 2020
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The overture came after Prime Minister Carney addressed the European Parliament in Strasbourg, telling EU lawmakers that Canada and Europe were "stronger together" in the face of "geopolitical rupture".
From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2026
However, Kim Yo Jong ridiculed Lee's latest overture, calling it "the climax of the farce that everyone should watch."
From Barron's ● Oct. 2, 2026
Maybe this overture from the Roebucks was his miracle.
From Slate ● Sep. 17, 2026
The opera begins with three ceremonial chords in the orchestra that signal a brief, sober introduction quickly undercut by an exhilarating fast-forwarding overture.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 5, 2026
The houselights start to dim, and the first notes of the overture rise up from the pit.
From "Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda" by Becky Albertalli
Since that memorable 2024 win at Twickenham, Jorgensen, who resisted overtures from rugby league's NRL as a teenager, has become a first-choice back-three pick for his team.
From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2026
The Saudi overtures come at a sensitive time for the kingdom.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026
Several years ago, both Japan and South Korea rebuffed U.S. overtures to invest in the Alaskan pipeline.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026
The president also acknowledged Kim had responded to his overtures, though he provided no further details.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026
The University of California’s medical school faculty, housed across the bay in San Francisco, was especially dismissive of Ernest’s overtures.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
The book was for many days snubbed, buffeted, browbeaten; and the care fully-woven tapestry was torn into shreds and trampled upon; and it seemed that the patiently sculptured shrine was overtured and despised and desecrated.
From St. Elmo by Augusta J. (Augusta Jane) Evans
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