overstay
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to stay beyond the time, limit, or duration of; outstay.
to overstay one's welcome.
-
Finance. to remain in (the market) beyond the point where a sale would have yielded the greatest profit.
verb
-
to stay beyond the time, limit, or duration of
-
finance to delay a transaction in (a market) until after the point at which the maximum profit would have been made
-
to stay in New Zealand beyond (the period sanctioned by the immigration authorities or the period of a visitor's permit)
-
to stay (at a party, on a visit, etc), longer than pleases the host or hostess
Other Word Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
have overstayedperfect
-
has overstayedperfect 3rd person singular
-
is overstayingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
are overstayingprogressive
-
has been overstayingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
have been overstayingperfect progressive
-
am overstayingprogressive 1st person singular
-
overstayingparticiple
-
overstayssingular 3rd person
Past
-
had overstayedperfect
-
were overstayingprogressive plural
-
had been overstayingperfect progressive
-
overstayedsimple
-
was overstayingprogressive singular
-
overstayedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of overstay
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.
Wootler said authorities were doing all they could to tackle the growing problem, deporting foreigners who overstay their visa and ensuring those who engage in online crime are "punished by our courts".
From Barron's • May 17, 2026
Likewise, a visa overstay isn’t a foreign mission.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
The administration said security concerns and the overstay rate of business, student and tourists visas were among the reasons for a country to make the list.
From BBC • Nov. 27, 2025
“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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
