Overseas

/ˌoʊvərˈsiːz/

adjectiveBeginner📊CommonGeneral
2 meanings2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

Located in or relating to a foreign country across the sea.

/ˌoʊvərˈsiːz/

adjectiveneutralBeginner
General

Situated in, or relating to, a foreign country or countries beyond the sea.

She went to an overseas university to study abroad.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're planning a trip to a different country that's across the ocean. That country is 'overseas'! It's like saying 'far away and across the sea'.

👶 For kids: When something is overseas, it means it's in another country far away, across the big water (ocean).

More Examples

2

Many companies have overseas branches.

3

The overseas market offers great potential for growth.

How It's Used

Travel

"Overseas travel is becoming increasingly popular."

Business

"The company is expanding its overseas operations."

Politics

"The ambassador was appointed to represent his country's interests overseas."

2

To or in a foreign country across the sea.

/ˌoʊvərˈsiːz/

adverbneutralBeginner
General

To or in a foreign country beyond the sea.

He moved overseas to work.

💡 Simply: If you are going 'overseas', you're going to a country that's across the ocean! It's a journey that takes you far, far away.

👶 For kids: When you go overseas, you go to a place that is very far away, over the big ocean!

More Examples

2

She decided to study overseas.

3

They shipped the goods overseas.

How It's Used

Travel

"She traveled overseas for a vacation."

Business

"He often works overseas."

Military

"The soldiers were deployed overseas."

Tip:Visualize yourself traveling over the sea.

Idioms & expressions

overseas call

A telephone call made to a foreign country.

"He made an overseas call to his family."

overseas trade

The exchange of goods and services between countries.

"Overseas trade plays a significant role in the global economy."

From Middle English *over se*, literally "over the sea." The term evolved to describe locations or activities beyond the national boundaries of a given country, particularly those separated by an ocean.

The term 'overseas' has been in use since the 14th century, initially referring to lands across the sea. Its usage has evolved alongside developments in trade, travel and global interaction.

Memory tip

Think of 'over the seas' to remember its meaning.

Word Origin

LanguageMiddle English
Original meaning

"over se (over the sea)"

overseas traveloverseas marketoverseas businessoverseas studentoverseas branches

Common misspellings

over seasover-seas

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written