oversteer

[ noun oh-ver-steer; verb oh-ver-steer ]

noun

1. handling of an automotive vehicle that causes turns that are sharper than the driver intends because the rear wheels slide to the outside of the turn before the front wheels lose traction.

verb (used without object)

1. (of an automotive vehicle) to undergo or handle with an oversteer, especially excessively.

oversteer

/ ˌəʊvəˈstɪə /

verb

1. (of a vehicle) to turn more sharply, for a particular turn of the steering wheel, than is desirable or anticipated

noun

1. the tendency of a vehicle to oversteer

Word History and Origins

Origin of oversteer¹

First recorded in 1935–40; over- + steer ¹