What does overarm mean?
Overarm describes an action performed with the arm raised above the shoulder, most notably the act of bowling a cricket ball. The term is particularly familiar in British and international cricket, where it identifies the standard legal delivery action: the bowler brings the bowling arm up and releases the ball as it swings over the shoulder. An overarm delivery can generate substantial pace and movement, but it requires precise balance because the bowler must avoid putting the leading foot on the ground behind the crease. American cricket terminology generally uses overhand for the same action, so the two words often overlap in meaning. Outside cricket, overarm may describe a throw or other movement made above shoulder height, though the expression overhand is more common in those broader sporting contexts.
adjectivePerformed with the arm raised above the shoulder, especially a bowling action in which the arm is swung over the shoulder to deliver the ball.
- Done with the arm swung or raised above the shoulder, especially in bowling.
"The bowler used an overarm delivery to send the ball past the batter."
"She learned the overarm bowling action at an evening cricket practice."
"The pitcher switched to an overarm throw after warming up."
In British cricket, a legal overarm delivery is a high-risk, high-reward art: the laws permit it, but a foot touching the ground behind the crease is the bowler's undoing.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does overarm come from?
Overarm is a compound formed from the English words over and arm, with the second element specifying the body part involved. The compound developed in the language of cricket to distinguish a delivery made above shoulder height from underarm bowling. Its use outside cricket is broader and generally follows the same literal distinction.
How overarm is actually used
The term is especially common in British, Australian, South Asian, and international cricket. American speakers more often use overhand. The broader adjective can describe any movement performed with the arm above shoulder level, although overhand is often preferred outside cricket.
Easily confused with overarm
In cricket, overarm is the standard British term for a legal delivery made with the arm above shoulder height, while overhand is the more common American term.