overtime

American  

[oh-ver-tahym, oh-ver-tahym] / ˈoʊ vərˌtaɪm, ˌoʊ vərˈtaɪm /

noun

1. working time before or after one's regularly scheduled working hours; extra working time.

2. pay for such time (distinguished from straight time).

3. time in excess of a prescribed period.

4. Sports. an additional period of play for deciding the winner of a game in which the contestants are tied at the end of the regular playing period.

---

adverb

1. during overtime.

   to work overtime.

adjective

1. of or for overtime.

   overtime pay.

verb (used with object)

overtimed, overtiming

1. to give too much time to (a photographic exposure).

overtime British  

noun

1. 1. work at a regular job done in addition to regular working hours

   2. ( as modifier )

      overtime pay

2. the rate of pay established for such work

3. time in excess of a set period

4. sport extra time

---

adverb

1. beyond the regular or stipulated time

verb

1. (tr) to exceed the required time for (a photographic exposure)

Etymology

Origin of overtime

First recorded in 1530–40; over- + time

Explanation

Overtime is the amount of time you work beyond your regular hours. If your boss asks you to work over 40 hours one week, that's overtime and you should demand extra pay. You can use this word as a noun or an adjective, as in overtime pay or overtime hours. At some workplaces, working overtime earns you more than the normal hourly salary. In other cases, full time employees are expected to work overtime without any extra pay. In sports, overtime is when play goes longer than the usual time — more than nine innings in a baseball game, or more than a twenty-minute half in basketball, for example.

Example Sentences

The team displayed uncommon grit as well, going to overtime an NHL-record 33 times.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

He typically works 12 to 14 hours a day, but is paid overtime for only three hours beyond his eight-hour shift, he told news agency PTI.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

The overtime deduction maxes out at $12,500 for individuals and $30,000 for married couples.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

So if someone makes $20 an hour and $30 overtime, only $10 of that would be untaxed.

From Salon • Apr. 15, 2026

I helped when I could, but also worked overtime whenever it was there.

From "Life Is So Good" by George Dawson