adj

overhead

OH-vuh-hehd

adj

Positioned above, especially above one's head.

"An overhead light flickered in the empty hallway."

noun

The ongoing costs of running a business that aren't tied to a specific product or service.

"Rent and utilities make up most of the shop's overhead."

adv

Above, in the sky or at a higher level.

"A hawk circled overhead."

How to Use Overhead

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither something positioned above, or (in business) the background running costs of an operation.

Common pairings

overhead costs overhead light reduce overhead

more overhead comparative, more overhead comparative, overheads plural, overheads plural, most overhead superlative, most overhead superlative

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An _____ light flickered in the empty hallway.

From Old English oferhēafod, "over the head," from over- + head.

head read lead dead bead mead bread plead tread ahead dread knead