overstay

American  

[oh-ver-stey] / ˌoʊ vərˈsteɪ /

verb (used with object)

1. to stay beyond the time, limit, or duration of; outstay.

   to overstay one's welcome.

2. Finance. to remain in (the market) beyond the point where a sale would have yielded the greatest profit.

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overstay British  

/ ˌəʊvəˈsteɪ /

verb

1. to stay beyond the time, limit, or duration of

2. finance to delay a transaction in (a market) until after the point at which the maximum profit would have been made

3. to stay in New Zealand beyond (the period sanctioned by the immigration authorities or the period of a visitor's permit)

4. to stay (at a party, on a visit, etc), longer than pleases the host or hostess

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Etymology

Origin of overstay

First recorded in 1640–50; over- + stay ¹

Example Sentences

It’s true that far too many pop records overstay their welcome, but this one is 29 minutes long and the tracklist includes some older material.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

It urged Indonesians leaving scam sites to report to the embassy, which could assist them with securing travel documents and overstay fine waivers in order to return home.

From Barron's • Jan. 21, 2026

Museveni had said, in a 1986 collection of writing: "The problem of Africa in general, and Uganda in particular, is not the people but leaders who want to overstay in power."

From BBC • Jan. 11, 2026

“Not overstay your welcome. Rip it and do it and laugh and cry.”

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 15, 2025

“Sorry. Homeland Security doesn’t like it if you overstay your visa.”

From "The Sun Is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon