overhaul

Language: en

🇺🇸 /ˈoʊvɜrˌhɔl/

📖 Definitions

  1. verb
    To examine thoroughly and make necessary repairs or changes; to take apart in order to inspect and repair.; To reorganize or revise comprehensively; to make extensive changes to a system, plan, or structure.; To overtake or catch up with, especially in a race or pursuit.
  2. noun
    A thorough examination and repair or renovation of something; a comprehensive reorganization.

🔗 Details

Word forms

countable Plural: overhauls 3rd sing.: overhauls Past: overhauled Past part.: overhauled Pres part.: overhauling

Collocations

complete overhaulmajor overhaulengine overhauloverhaul the systemundergo an overhaulin need of an overhaul

Derivatives

overhaulingoverhauled

Synonyms

revamprenovationreworkrebuildrestructurereorganize

Commonly confused

overall
EN: 'Overall' means 'in general' or 'total' (adjective/adverb); 'overhaul' means a thorough examination and repair (noun/verb).
override
EN: 'Override' means to overrule or take precedence over something; 'overhaul' means to thoroughly examine and repair or renovate.

Spelling tips

EN: Do not confuse 'overhaul' with 'overall.' Note that the noun is often stressed on the first syllable (O-ver-haul) while the verb may be stressed on the last (o-ver-HAUL), though this distinction is not universal.

💬 Examples

  1. The mechanic overhauled the engine to find the source of the problem.

  2. The government decided to overhaul the tax system to make it fairer.

  3. The police car overhauled the fleeing suspect on the highway.

  4. The aircraft is due for a complete overhaul after 5,000 flight hours.