overwrite
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to write in too elaborate, burdensome, diffuse, or prolix a style.
He overwrites his essays to the point of absurdity.
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to write in excess of the requirements, especially so as to defeat the original intention.
That young playwright tends to overwrite her big scenes.
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to write on or over; cover with writing.
a flyleaf overwritten with a dedication.
verb (used without object)
verb
-
to write (something) in an excessively ornate or prolix style
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to write too much about (someone or something)
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to write on top of (other writing)
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to record on a storage medium, such as a magnetic disk, thus destroying what was originally recorded there
Other Word Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
have overwrittenperfect
-
has overwrittenperfect 3rd person singular
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are overwritingprogressive
-
has been overwritingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
is overwritingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
overwritingparticiple
-
overwritessingular 3rd person
-
am overwritingprogressive 1st person singular
-
have been overwritingperfect progressive
Past
-
had overwrittenperfect
-
were overwritingprogressive plural
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overwrotesimple
-
was overwritingprogressive singular
-
had been overwritingperfect progressive
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overwrittenparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of overwrite
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.
"What we've tried to do is respect those tunes and not overwrite them, the melodies stay central, but they're presented differently. That sense of respect is something people really seem to respond to," Coyle explained.
From BBC • Jan. 26, 2026
Depending on the rules you’ve set for yourself, this might be the moment for a small, intentional grocery shop: a handful of items meant to support what’s already in your kitchen, not overwrite it.
From Salon • Jan. 11, 2026
A charger sold in the UK by Project EV allowed researchers to overwrite its firmware.
From Scientific American • Jul. 13, 2023
It’s an invitation not to overwrite the work of the Second Wave.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 18, 2021
Aymer had sought rather to overwrite the rude scrawl of Marley Sartin than to erase it.
From Christopher Hibbault, Roadmaker by Bryant, Marguerite
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.
