overboard
[ˈəʊvə(ɹ)ˌbɔː(ɹ)d]
An item that's thrown overboard goes into the water from a ship or boat.
When you're sailing or on a cruise, and someone drops something like a life jacket or a toolbox, it might get tossed overboard. This can happen if there's strong wind or waves, but even in calm weather, accidents can still occur. Imagine being on a small sailboat with friends, and someone accidentally lets go of the rope that's holding the cooler – it could slide right off into the drink! That's basically what it means to be thrown overboard.
How common is "overboard"?
Word overboard is considered rare in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
Definitions
verb
To throw over the edge of a boat into the water.
adjective
Outside of a boat, in the water
adverb
Over the edge; especially, off or outside of a boat.
Example: It was their practice to throw the scraps overboard.
Real examples of "overboard" in context
