overboard

adverb

over·​board ˈō-vər-ˌbȯrd 

1

: over the side of a ship or boat into the water

2

: to extremes of enthusiasm

3

: into discard : aside

Examples of overboard in a Sentence

He threw the fish overboard.

The boy fell overboard and almost drowned.

One of the sailors fell into the water, and someone shouted “Man overboard!”.

Recent Examples on the Web

Marble Overload While marble is timeless and chic, the marble overboard aesthetic is going away in 2025. —Amanda Lauren, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024

Some migrants threw themselves overboard, and minors were evacuated during the standoff. —Colleen Barry, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024

People regularly slip overboard after a day of partaking in bottomless drink packages. —Bridget Read, Curbed, 18 Dec. 2024

Santa tends to go a little overboard with the stocking stuffers at my house, and my family has a long tradition of taking an hour to open and appreciate all the little gifts. —Louryn Strampe, WIRED, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing overboard

• go overboard
• wash overboard

Kids Definition

overboard

adverb

over·​board ˈō-vər-ˌbō(ə)rd 

-ˌbȯ(ə)rd

1

: over the side of a ship into the water

2

: to extremes of enthusiasm

go overboard for a new fad