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Synonyms

overdraft

American  
[oh-ver-draft, -drahft] / ˈoʊ vərˌdræft, -ˌdrɑft /

noun

  • overdrafts
    plural
  1. an act or instance of overdrawing a checking account.

  2. a check overdrawn on a checking account.

  3. the amount overdrawn.

  4. an excessive drawing on or drawing off of something.

  5. a draft made to pass over a fire, as in a furnace.

  6. a draft passing downward through a kiln.

  7. Metalworking. a tendency of a rolled piece to curve upward after passing through a stand, occurring when the lower roll is faster than the upper.


overdraft British  
/ ˈəʊvəˌdrɑːft /

noun

  1. a draft or withdrawal of money in excess of the credit balance on a bank or building-society cheque account

  2. the amount of money drawn or withdrawn thus

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

overdraft Cultural  
  1. The amount by which a check exceeds the funds on deposit to cover it.


Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms


Etymology

Origin of overdraft

First recorded in 1875–80; over- + draft


Vocabulary lists containing overdraft

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 list of expenses goes on: credit-card debts, overdraft fees, interest on loans, funeral costs, unpaid taxes, administration fees for the estate.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 15, 2026

That same month “was the first month I didn’t overdraft my credit card,” he said, with the majority of his income today coming from the restaurant.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2026

In the two years after his first Rabo loan, McClain fell into overdraft dozens of times, sometimes almost daily.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 7, 2026

She has "got in a bit of debt" and has an overdraft.

From BBC ● May 4, 2026

Ashamed for not understanding why we were always paying late fees and overdraft charges.

From "Free Lunch" by Rex Ogle

Rabo personnel visited McClain at his Kentucky farm to discuss overdrafts and other issues that had raised questions.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 7, 2026

"We get lots of clients coming in struggling with credit cards, loans, overdrafts, council tax, their rent, mortgage," says Blake Harmer, the Citizens Advice supervisor.

From BBC ● May 4, 2026

Banks would have fewer excess reserves, so they’d need overdrafts again.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 27, 2025

An important one is that consumers must opt in to overdraft protection, so they will know that overdrafts will be allowed — but will carry a fee.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 12, 2024

But it will take time and the bank overdrafts are urgent.

From Lady Connie by Mrs. Humphry Ward

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