What does overtake mean?
Overtake is a verb meaning to pass someone or something after coming alongside it, or to surpass a competitor in position, progress, or achievement. It is especially associated with vehicles, cycling, racing, and sporting contests, where passing is a central part of the activity. In broader use, “overtake” can describe gaining a lead over a rival or exceeding a previous result: a company may overtake another in market share, or a runner may overtake a rival in a race. The word often implies not merely moving ahead briefly but achieving a durable or meaningful advantage. In everyday contexts it is more precise than “pass” when the subject catches up first and then moves ahead.
verbTo move past or come alongside and pass someone or something, especially another vehicle or competitor. It can also mean to catch up with and surpass a person, position, or achievement.
- To move past someone or something after coming alongside it, especially a vehicle or competitor.
- To catch up with and surpass a person, team, position, or achievement.
- To become more successful or advanced than a rival or benchmark.
"The cyclist quickly overtook the runners and took the lead."
"The blue car attempted to overtake the truck on the left."
"With a strong second half, the team overtook its rivals in the championship table."
"Her new sales record soon overtook the previous annual total."
In motor racing, an overtake is the moment when one driver passes another, often at the edge of the track and under extraordinary pressure.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does overtake come from?
“Overtake” is formed in Middle English from the prefix over- and the verb “take.” Both elements reflect older Germanic roots, with the compound expressing the idea of getting past or surpassing someone else by taking a position in front. The related forms “undertake” and “mistake” preserve the same older root behind “take,” while modern inflections include “overtook” and “overtaken.”
Related word forms
How overtake is actually used
The word is common in British and US English. In transport and competition, it usually describes passing a vehicle or rival; in general contexts, it can mean surpassing a person or achievement.