What does overdrew mean?
Overdrew is the past tense of the verb overdraw. Its most familiar sense refers to withdrawing more money from a bank account than the account currently contains, thereby creating a negative balance or an amount owing to the bank. The verb can also be used more broadly for exceeding an available credit limit, budget, or allowance, although these extended uses are less common. “The customer overdrew the account” therefore describes an act that happened in the past, while “the account is overdrawn” describes its resulting negative state. In everyday use, overdrew often carries an implication of poor financial control, although banks may also use it neutrally when reporting transactions. Related forms include the present-tense verb overdraw, the third-person form overdraws, the present participle overdrawing, and the adjective overdrawn.
verbThe past tense of overdraw, especially meaning to withdraw more money from a bank account than is available in it. It can also mean to exceed an available credit limit or allowance.
- To withdraw more money from a bank account than is available in it.
- To exceed the amount available under a credit limit or financial allowance.
"She overdrew her account while paying for the unexpected repairs."
"The business overdrew its account after its main customer failed to pay."
"He overdrew the project's budget by asking for two additional employees."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of overdrew
Overdrew is the simple past tense and past participle of overdraw. It was formed from the prefix over-, meaning beyond or in excess, and the verb draw, reflecting the idea of drawing or withdrawing more than is available.
Related word forms
How overdrew is actually used
The banking sense is standard in both British and American English. In British English, the adjective overdrawn is especially common when describing an account or person whose balance is negative.
Easily confused with overdrew
Overdrew is the past tense of the verb overdraw, whereas overdraft is a noun for the amount by which an account has been overdrawn or for an arrangement allowing such an overdraft.