WordLens

overlap

1 of 2verb
/ˈoʊ.vər.ˌlæp/
Forms:overlaps,overlapping,overlapped,overlapped
1

to extend across and cover a part of something else

  • The two rugs overlap in the center of the room.
  • Our schedules overlap on Monday mornings, so we can carpool to work.
  • The duties of the two positions overlap, requiring cooperation between team members.
  • The circles on the Venn diagram overlap to show shared characteristics.
  • The responsibilities of the two departments overlapped, causing confusion.
2

to happen or occur at the same time as something else

  • Their work shifts overlap for two hours each day.
  • The movie schedule overlaps with the concert, so we can’t attend both.
  • The deadlines for the two projects overlap by a week.
  • The events at the festival overlap, so we need to choose which to attend.
  • The academic semesters overlap, making it hard to transfer credits.