override
C1Formal to neutral. Common in legal, political, business, technical, and computing contexts.
Definition
Meaning
to use authority to reject or cancel a decision, rule, or system; to take precedence over something.
Can also mean to manually control or operate a system that is usually automatic; to extend beyond or overlap something; in computing, to provide a new implementation of a method that replaces an inherited one.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a hierarchical power dynamic where a higher authority supersedes a lower one. Carries connotations of intervention, correction, or assertion of control. Can be neutral or negative depending on context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in core meaning. Slight preference for 'overrule' in specific legal contexts in both varieties, but 'override' is standard for systemic/technical cancellation.
Connotations
Similar in both. Can imply necessary correction or undemocratic/authoritarian action.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both varieties, with high usage in shared domains like law, governance, and IT.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[NP] override [NP] (e.g., The court overrode the lower ruling.)[NP] be overridden by [NP] (e.g., The setting was overridden by the administrator.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “pull rank (to override based on seniority)”
- “have the final say”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The board can override the CEO's proposal if they have a two-thirds majority.
Academic
In this model, federal law is designed to override conflicting state statutes.
Everyday
I had to override the washing machine's automatic cycle to add more clothes.
Technical
The engineer engaged the manual override to bypass the faulty sensor.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The minister moved to override the committee's objections.
- You can override the default preferences in the settings.
American English
- Congress failed to override the President's veto.
- The pilot had to manually override the autopilot system.
adverb
British English
- Not commonly used as an adverb.
American English
- Not commonly used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The override switch is behind the red panel.
- They sought an override clause in the contract.
American English
- He hit the override button to stop the process.
- The system has an override feature for emergencies.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The principal can override the teacher's decision.
- Use this code to override the lock.
- The new policy will override all previous guidelines on remote work.
- A judge may override the jury's recommendation in certain cases.
- The central bank's directives effectively override the financial regulations of member states.
- The software allows users to override inherited methods to customise functionality.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a RIDE being taken OVER by someone else in charge. The boss OVER-RIDES your plan.
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHORITY IS PHYSICAL SUPERIORITY/HEIGHT (to override is to be above and press down on another's decision). CONTROL IS MANUAL INTERVENTION (to override an automatic system).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводить как 'переезжать' (to run over).
- Не путать с 'преодолеть' (to overcome).
- Ключевая идея — 'отменить решением высшей инстанции'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'override' without an object (incorrect: 'The manager decided to override.' correct: '...override the decision.').
- Confusing spelling: 'overwrite' is for data; 'override' is for authority/control.
- Using where 'ignore' or 'disregard' would be more appropriate (override implies formal power).
Practice
Quiz
In a parliamentary system, what does it typically mean to 'override a veto'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Most commonly, yes. Its core is about a higher authority cancelling a lower one. However, in technical contexts (like a 'manual override'), it's about human control superseding automated control, which is a metaphorical extension of the authority concept.
They are very close synonyms. 'Overrule' is used almost exclusively for decisions made by people or institutions (a judge overrules an objection). 'Override' has a broader application, including systems, settings, and mechanisms (override a setting, a safety override). 'Override' is also the standard term for reversing a veto.
Yes. As a noun, it refers to the act or instance of overriding, or a device/mechanism for doing so (e.g., 'The president's veto faced an override.', 'Engage the manual override').
The primary stress is on the final syllable '-ride' in both. The secondary stress and vowel quality in the first syllable differ, as shown in the IPA transcriptions.