What's the difference between on and over?

On


Definition:

  • (prep.) In continuance; without interruption or ceasing; as, sleep on, take your ease; say on; sing on.
  • (prep.) The general signification of on is situation, motion, or condition with respect to contact or support beneath
  • (prep.) At, or in contact with, the surface or upper part of a thing, and supported by it; placed or lying in contact with the surface; as, the book lies on the table, which stands on the floor of a house on an island.
  • (prep.) To or against the surface of; -- used to indicate the motion of a thing as coming or falling to the surface of another; as, rain falls on the earth.
  • (prep.) Denoting performance or action by contact with the surface, upper part, or outside of anything; hence, by means of; with; as, to play on a violin or piano. Hence, figuratively, to work on one's feelings; to make an impression on the mind.
  • (prep.) At or near; adjacent to; -- indicating situation, place, or position; as, on the one hand, on the other hand; the fleet is on the American coast.
  • (prep.) In addition to; besides; -- indicating multiplication or succession in a series; as, heaps on heaps; mischief on mischief; loss on loss; thought on thought.
  • (prep.) Indicating dependence or reliance; with confidence in; as, to depend on a person for assistance; to rely on; hence, indicating the ground or support of anything; as, he will promise on certain conditions; to bet on a horse.
  • (prep.) At or in the time of; during; as, on Sunday we abstain from labor. See At (synonym).
  • (prep.) At the time of, conveying some notion of cause or motive; as, on public occasions, the officers appear in full dress or uniform. Hence, in consequence of, or following; as, on the ratification of the treaty, the armies were disbanded.
  • (prep.) Toward; for; -- indicating the object of some passion; as, have pity or compassion on him.
  • (prep.) At the peril of, or for the safety of.
  • (prep.) By virtue of; with the pledge of; -- denoting a pledge or engagement, and put before the thing pledged; as, he affirmed or promised on his word, or on his honor.
  • (prep.) To the account of; -- denoting imprecation or invocation, or coming to, falling, or resting upon; as, on us be all the blame; a curse on him.
  • (prep.) In reference or relation to; as, on our part expect punctuality; a satire on society.
  • (prep.) Of.
  • (prep.) Occupied with; in the performance of; as, only three officers are on duty; on a journey.
  • (prep.) In the service of; connected with; of the number of; as, he is on a newspaper; on a committee.
  • (prep.) Forward, in progression; onward; -- usually with a verb of motion; as, move on; go on.
  • (prep.) Forward, in succession; as, from father to son, from the son to the grandson, and so on.
  • (prep.) Adhering; not off; as in the phrase, "He is neither on nor off," that is, he is not steady, he is irresolute.
  • (prep.) Attached to the body, as clothing or ornament, or for use.
  • (prep.) In progress; proceeding; as, a game is on.

Example Sentences:

Over


Definition:

  • (prep.) Above, or higher than, in place or position, with the idea of covering; -- opposed to under; as, clouds are over our heads; the smoke rises over the city.
  • (prep.) Across; from side to side of; -- implying a passing or moving, either above the substance or thing, or on the surface of it; as, a dog leaps over a stream or a table.
  • (prep.) Upon the surface of, or the whole surface of; hither and thither upon; throughout the whole extent of; as, to wander over the earth; to walk over a field, or over a city.
  • (prep.) Above; -- implying superiority in excellence, dignity, condition, or value; as, the advantages which the Christian world has over the heathen.
  • (prep.) Above in authority or station; -- implying government, direction, care, attention, guard, responsibility, etc.; -- opposed to under.
  • (prep.) Across or during the time of; from beginning to end of; as, to keep anything over night; to keep corn over winter.
  • (prep.) Above the perpendicular height or length of, with an idea of measurement; as, the water, or the depth of water, was over his head, over his shoes.
  • (prep.) Beyond; in excess of; in addition to; more than; as, it cost over five dollars.
  • (prep.) Above, implying superiority after a contest; in spite of; notwithstanding; as, he triumphed over difficulties; the bill was passed over the veto.
  • (adv.) From one side to another; from side to side; across; crosswise; as, a board, or a tree, a foot over, i. e., a foot in diameter.
  • (adv.) From one person or place to another regarded as on the opposite side of a space or barrier; -- used with verbs of motion; as, to sail over to England; to hand over the money; to go over to the enemy.
  • (adv.) Also, with verbs of being: At, or on, the opposite side; as, the boat is over.
  • (adv.) From beginning to end; throughout the course, extent, or expanse of anything; as, to look over accounts, or a stock of goods; a dress covered over with jewels.
  • (adv.) From inside to outside, above or across the brim.
  • (adv.) Beyond a limit; hence, in excessive degree or quantity; superfluously; with repetition; as, to do the whole work over.
  • (adv.) In a manner to bring the under side to or towards the top; as, to turn (one's self) over; to roll a stone over; to turn over the leaves; to tip over a cart.
  • (adv.) At an end; beyond the limit of continuance; completed; finished.
  • (a.) Upper; covering; higher; superior; also, excessive; too much or too great; -- chiefly used in composition; as, overshoes, overcoat, over-garment, overlord, overwork, overhaste.
  • (n.) A certain number of balls (usually four) delivered successively from behind one wicket, after which the ball is bowled from behind the other wicket as many times, the fielders changing places.

Example Sentences: