Overview

/ˈoʊvərˌvjuː/

nounBeginner🔥Very CommonInformation
2 meanings2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

A general review or summary of something.

/ˈoʊvərˌvjuː/

nounneutralBeginner
Information

A general review or summary.

The professor provided an overview of the historical context.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're giving a presentation. An overview is like the short version that hits all the main points. It’s a quick look at the big picture, so people know what's coming, like the 'coming attractions' trailer before a movie!

👶 For kids: An overview is like a short summary that tells you what something is about.

More Examples

2

Before we begin, let's have an overview of the project.

3

The report provides an overview of the current market trends.

How It's Used

Business

"The CEO gave an overview of the company's performance."

Education

"The professor provided an overview of the course material."

Science

"The scientist offered an overview of the new research findings."

2

To provide a summary or general review.

/ˌoʊvərˈvjuː/

verbneutralmedium
Action

To give a general review or summary.

The manager will overview the project progress in the meeting.

💡 Simply: To overview something is to give a quick summary or presentation. It's like giving someone the highlight reel of what's happening. Like when you 'overview' your day for your friend in a few sentences.

👶 For kids: To overview something is to tell someone the most important parts about it.

More Examples

2

I'll overview the main concepts before diving into the details.

3

The speaker will overview the company's achievements.

How It's Used

Business

"The presenter will overview the key findings."

Academia

"She overviewed the main points of the research paper."

Tip:Imagine using a telescope to quickly look over the landscape - an overview!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

In overview

Generally, as a summary.

"In overview, the company performed well this quarter."

Give an overview

To present or provide a summary or general view.

"The consultant will give an overview of the project's milestones."

From 'over' + 'view', reflecting the concept of looking at something from above or a broader perspective. It emerged in the late 18th or early 19th century.

The word 'overview' as a noun, signifying a general survey, became more prevalent in the 19th century, particularly in scientific and academic writing.

Memory tip

Think of an airplane flight, giving you an 'over' 'view' of everything below.

Word Origin

LanguageEnglish
Original meaning

"to see, look at"

give an overviewprovide an overviewgeneral overviewbrief overviewcomprehensive overviewoverview of the situationoverview of the project

Common misspellings

over viewoverveiwover-view

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written