Is 'overtime' countable or uncountable?

It is primarily an uncountable (mass) noun. You do not say 'overtimes'. You say 'hours of overtime' or 'periods of overtime'.

Can 'overtime' be used as a verb?

Yes, but it is informal and more common in business jargon (e.g., 'We'll need to overtime this weekend'). In formal writing, 'work overtime' is preferred.

What's the difference between 'overtime' and 'overwork'?

'Overtime' is neutral, referring to scheduled extra time, often paid. 'Overwork' has a negative connotation, implying excessive work leading to stress or harm.

How is 'overtime' expressed in sports?

It refers to an extra period of play to decide a winner after a tie. In AmE, it's standard (football, basketball). In BrE, 'extra time' is used for soccer, while 'overtime' may be used for other sports like rugby or hockey.

overtime

UK/ˈəʊvətaɪm/US/ˈoʊvərtaɪm/

Neutral to Formal. Common in workplace, business, legal, and sports contexts.

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

Time worked beyond one's regular scheduled working hours, typically attracting a higher rate of pay.

An extra period of play in a sports game when scores are tied; figuratively, additional effort or time spent beyond what is usual or expected on a task.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Primarily a mass noun. The sense of 'extra pay' is derived metonymically from the 'extra time' worked.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

In sports, BrE uses 'extra time' more commonly for football (soccer), while AmE uses 'overtime' for American football, basketball, etc. The workplace meaning is identical.

Connotations

Similar connotations of extra work, sometimes implying strain or necessity.

Frequency

Very high frequency in both varieties in workplace contexts. Slightly higher in AmE for sports contexts due to the nature of popular sports.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

work overtimepaid overtimeunpaid overtimeovertime payovertime hours

medium

mandatory overtimeearn overtimedo overtimeschedule overtimeovertime rate

weak

excessive overtimeoccasional overtimeweekend overtimebank overtime

Grammar

Valency Patterns

VERB + overtime: work, do, put in, earn, payPREP + overtime: on ~ (He's on overtime tonight.)overtime + NOUN: ~ pay, ~ hours, ~ rate

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

extra time (sports/contextual)extended play (sports)

Neutral

extra hoursadditional timesupplementary hours

Weak

overwork (negative connotation)time-and-a-half (specific pay rate)

Vocabulary

Antonyms

undertimeregular hourscore hoursstandard time

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“Burn the midnight oil (related concept)”
“Go into overtime (figurative: to continue excessively)”
“Overtime hero (sports: player scoring in overtime)”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

The project deadline requires staff to work significant overtime this month.

Academic

The study examined the correlation between mandatory overtime and worker burnout.

Everyday

I had to do overtime last night to finish the report.

Technical

The contract stipulates an overtime premium of 150% for work on public holidays.

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

He will need to overtime to meet the client's deadline.
The team have been overtiming consistently this quarter.

American English

She had to overtime to get the proposal ready.
The department is overtiming due to the system upgrade.

adverb

British English

She worked overtime to finalise the accounts. (adverbial use of noun)
They are playing overtime to decide the cup winner.

American English

He's been putting in hours overtime. (informal)
The game went overtime after a last-second tie.

adjective

British English

The overtime payments were processed late.
We have an overtime ban in place during the dispute.

American English

The overtime pay rate is time-and-a-half.
He scored the winning goal in overtime play.

Examples

By CEFR Level

My father works overtime on Fridays.
Sometimes she does overtime.

I earned a lot of extra money from overtime last month.
The factory pays double for overtime on Sundays.

Despite working considerable unpaid overtime, her efforts went unrecognised.
The basketball game was decided in a thrilling overtime period.

The union is contesting the employer's right to impose compulsory overtime.
A culture of presenteeism and excessive overtime is endemic in the industry.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of a clock 'OVER' its normal TIME limit.

Conceptual Metaphor

TIME IS A RESOURCE / MONEY (You 'earn' or 'pay' overtime).

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

Avoid direct calque 'сверхвремя'. Use 'сверхурочная работа' for the work, 'сверхурочные' for the pay/concept.
Do not confuse with 'part-time' (неполный рабочий день). Overtime is 'сверхурочный', part-time is 'неполный'.

Common Mistakes

Using as a countable noun (*'I worked three overtimes last week') – use 'three hours of overtime'.
Confusing 'overtime' (noun) with 'over time' (adverbial phrase: 'The situation improved over time').

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

To finish the audit, the entire accounting team had to all weekend.

Multiple Choice

In which context is the word 'overtime' LEAST likely to be used?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: It is primarily an uncountable (mass) noun. You do not say 'overtimes'. You say 'hours of overtime' or 'periods of overtime'.
: Yes, but it is informal and more common in business jargon (e.g., 'We'll need to overtime this weekend'). In formal writing, 'work overtime' is preferred.
: 'Overtime' is neutral, referring to scheduled extra time, often paid. 'Overwork' has a negative connotation, implying excessive work leading to stress or harm.
: It refers to an extra period of play to decide a winner after a tie. In AmE, it's standard (football, basketball). In BrE, 'extra time' is used for soccer, while 'overtime' may be used for other sports like rugby or hockey.