overhand
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /ˌəʊvəhˈænd/
US
- /ˌoʊvərhˈænd/
Description
- Arm above shoulder
- Knuckles upward
- Thrown from above
- Simple knot
"Overhand" describes a way of moving, throwing, striking, or gripping something with the hand coming from above. Picture a baseball player throwing the ball with the arm raised high over the shoulder and then driving forward. That is the basic idea. It is also used for the way you hold something, as in an overhand grip, where your palms face down or away from you and your knuckles face up. The word often appears in sports, exercise, and simple hand tasks, where it points to a motion or position from above.
The word "overhand" describes a motion, position, or technique in which the hand comes from above, often above the shoulder, or rests with the palm facing downward. It is common in sports and physical activity, where it often suggests a strong movement from high to low. An overhand throw in baseball or an overhand serve in tennis uses the arm lifted high and brought forward to create speed, force, and control.
In combat sports like boxing, an overhand right is a looping punch that comes over the opponent's guard. But the word is not limited to fast action. It also describes a way of holding things. In an overhand grip, such as on a pull-up bar, the palms face away from you and the knuckles point upward. In that sense, the word helps describe the direction of the hand rather than the speed of the movement.
Another very common use appears in overhand knot. This is the simplest basic knot, made by forming a loop and passing one end through it. People use it when tying string, rope, or the first part of a shoelace knot. Across these examples, the word keeps the same core idea: the hand, arm, or working end moves over, above, or downward in relation to something else. It is a practical word that links movement, position, and technique in a clear physical way.
Examples
- 1
Throwing
She threw the ball overhand and it sailed over the fence.
- 2
Sports serve
The coach taught us an overhand serve.
- 3
Weightlifting grip
Use an overhand grip when you lift the bar.
Phrase
an overhand grip
holding something with your palms facing down
- 4
Rope knot
Tie an overhand knot at the end of the rope.
Phrase
an overhand knot
a simple knot made with one loop
- 5
Sewing stitch
She closed the edge of the cloth with an overhand stitch.
Phrase
an overhand stitch
a simple stitch sewn over the edge of fabric
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- overhandverbadjective
Forms
- overhandedpast tenseverbadjective
- overhanding-ing formverbadjective
- overhandsverbadjective