over time — gradually; during a period of time
Part of speech: ADVERB
Definition: gradually; during a period of time
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈoʊvər taɪm/
Example Sentences
- My cooking skills improved over time, though my kitchen still looks like a disaster zone.
- The relationship between students and teachers changes over time.
- He worked so much overtime that he forgot what his family looked like.
over time
ADVERB[/ˈoʊvər taɪm/]
gradually; during a period of time
gradually; during a period of time
From part time to prime time, success grows over time!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The phrase 'over time' combines two Old English elements: 'over' (meaning above, across, or beyond) and 'time' (from Old English tima, ultimately from Proto-Germanic timôn). The compound developed to express the concept of something occurring beyond or across the duration of time, gradually acquiring the sense of occurring throughout an extended period or in incremental stages.
Breakdown
over (Old English ofer, meaning above or beyond) + time (Old English tima, meaning a fixed period or season). The combination semantically merges spatial transcendence (over) with temporal extension (time) to denote gradual progression or accumulation across a duration.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My cooking skills improved over time, though my kitchen still looks like a disaster zone.”
“The relationship between students and teachers changes over time.”
“He worked so much overtime that he forgot what his family looked like.”
“The company's profits have grown significantly over time.”
📚Related Words
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