Overman

//ˈoʊvɚmən// name, noun, verb

name, noun, verb ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A person who supervises others; a supervisor, especially in a mine.

    "Despite the effects of the disease, he was subsequently promoted to overman and thereafter to undermanager."

  2. 2
    A person with great powers; a superman.
Verb
  1. 1
    To provide with too many personnel; overstaff.
Proper Noun
  1. 1
    A surname.

    "Honourable Members will perceive that it is stated, on the authority of Mr. Overman, vice-chairman of the Ampthill board, that the wages of the labourers in his neighbourhood had been raised since the law came into operation."

Example

More examples

"Despite the effects of the disease, he was subsequently promoted to overman and thereafter to undermanager."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English overman (“a superior; leader; master”). Compare superman. By surface analysis, over- + man.

Etymology 2

From over- + man, as a calque of German Übermensch.

Etymology 3

From over- + man (verb).

Related phrases

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.