overrun
C1Formal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
To spread over or occupy something in an uncontrolled way, exceeding limits.
To exceed a planned time, cost, or quantity; to invade and occupy territory; in manufacturing, to produce more items than ordered.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word carries negative connotations of excess, loss of control, and invasion. It implies a failure to contain or manage something properly.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The past participle form 'overrun' is standard in both; 'overran' is the simple past. Usage frequency is similar across domains.
Connotations
Slightly stronger military/invasion connotations in UK English in historical contexts. In US English, business/project 'overrun' (budget, schedule) might be slightly more frequent.
Frequency
Comparatively common in both varieties, with no marked divergence.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[NP] overrun [NP] (The project overran the budget)[NP] be overrun by/with [NP] (The city was overrun with tourists)[NP] overrun (The meeting overran)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Overrun its banks (of a river)”
- “Overrun the clock (in sports)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers primarily to budget and schedule exceeding estimates.
Academic
Used in history (military campaigns), ecology (invasive species), and project management studies.
Everyday
Used for weeds in a garden, pests, or an event taking longer than planned.
Technical
In printing/manufacturing: producing more copies/units than ordered.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The budget overrun was attributed to material costs.
- A military overrun of the province followed.
American English
- The cost overrun required emergency funding.
- The software launch had a significant time overrun.
verb
British English
- The construction project overran by six months.
- The picnic area was overrun with wasps.
American English
- Costs overran the initial estimate by 20%.
- The website was overrun by bots.
adjective
British English
- We face an overrun budget and delayed timeline.
- The overrun printing job created excess inventory.
American English
- The overrun schedule forced a redesign.
- They had to dispose of the overrun copies.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The garden was overrun with weeds.
- The meeting overran by fifteen minutes.
- The ancient city was overrun by invaders.
- We must avoid any further cost overruns on this contract.
- The initial euphoria was soon overrun by pragmatic concerns.
- A production overrun of 5% is considered acceptable within the industry's tolerance limits.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a garden that has RUN wild, with weeds spreading OVER everything – it has been OVERRUN.
Conceptual Metaphor
INVASION IS A FLOOD (e.g., 'The market was overrun by cheap imports').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводить буквально как 'перебежать'.
- Избегать использования 'переполнен' для ситуаций контроля (overrun ≠ overcrowded).
- 'Budget overrun' – это 'превышение бюджета', а не 'перерасход' в смысле личных трат.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'overrun' as a noun for a person (incorrect: He is an overrun).
- Confusing 'overrun' (invade/exceed) with 'override' (overrule).
- Using the wrong preposition: 'overrun by' (agent) vs. 'overrun with' (thing).
Practice
Quiz
In a manufacturing context, what does 'overrun' typically refer to?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is commonly used as both a verb and a noun, especially in business and project management contexts (e.g., 'to overrun a budget' (verb) vs. 'a budget overrun' (noun)).
'Overrun by' typically introduces the active agent causing the overrun (e.g., 'overrun by enemies'). 'Overrun with' introduces the thing that is plentiful and causing the problem (e.g., 'overrun with weeds').
Rarely. Its core semantics involve excess and loss of control, which are generally negative. A possible neutral/positive use might be 'The charity appeal was overrun with donations,' though this still implies an overwhelming, potentially challenging influx.
The simple past tense is 'overran' (e.g., 'The army overran the position'). The past participle is 'overrun' (e.g., 'The position has been overrun').