overhand

American  

[oh-ver-hand] / ˈoʊ vərˌhænd /

adjective

1. thrown or performed with the hand raised over the shoulder; overarm.

   overhand stroke.

2. with the hand and part or all of the arm raised above the shoulder.

   to pitch overhand.

3. (in sewing and embroidery) with close, shallow stitches over two edges.

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adverb

1. with the hand over the object.

   to grasp one's fork overhand.

noun

1. an overhand stroke, throw, or delivery.

verb (used with object)

overhands, present (3rd person singular) overhanded, past participle, past overhanding present participle

1. to sew overhand.

overhand British  

/ ˈəʊvəˌhænd /

adjective

1. thrown or performed with the hand raised above the shoulder

2. sewn with thread passing over two edges in one direction

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adverb

1. with the hand above the shoulder; overarm

2. with shallow stitches passing over two edges

verb

1. to sew (two edges) overhand

Other Word Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has overhanded
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have overhanded
  perfect
• are overhanding
  progressive
• is overhanding
  progressive 3rd person singular
• have been overhanding
  perfect progressive
• has been overhanding
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• overhanding
  participle
• overhands
  singular 3rd person
• am overhanding
  progressive 1st person singular

Past

• had overhanded
  perfect
• were overhanding
  progressive plural
• overhanded
  participle
• was overhanding
  progressive singular
• had been overhanding
  perfect progressive
• overhanded
  simple

Future

• will overhand
  simple
• will have overhanded
  perfect
• will be overhanding
  progressive
• will have been overhanding
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of overhand

First recorded in 1860–65; over- + hand

Example Sentences

Lesch’s delivery had one major flaw: He threw directly overhand, as opposed to three-quarters or even sidearm, which can increase velocity but also places additional strain on the shoulder and elbow.

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2026

Fury had to be watchful at times as Makhmudov did land occasional overhand rights, but the Russian was largely one-dimensional as Fury took a wide decision with scorecards of 120-108, 120-108 and 119-109.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

In a fifth round that lit up Brooklyn's Barclays Center, Smith stood toe-to-toe with the heavy-handed Puerto Rican and dropped him with a looping overhand right.

From BBC • Jan. 11, 2026

Simpson was the home hero at the First Direct Bank Arena on Saturday but was on the back foot for much of the fight, struggling to deal with the smaller man's overhand right hands.

From BBC • Dec. 20, 2025

Brian’s a machine, a machine gun, two at a time, three, four, underhand, overhand, both hands.

From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson