Meaning & use
overhaling
Last updated
“overhaling” is a form of “overhaul”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive
Checking something thoroughly and repairing or improving the parts that need it.
Grammar: Used as a present participle or gerund; it takes an object, as in 'They are overhaling the engine.'
Patterns
- overhaling something
- be overhaling something
- spend time overhaling something
The garage is overhaling the bus before it goes back on the road.
They spent the winter overhaling the old boat.
She is overhaling the company's safety rules after the accident.
verbtransitiverareliterary
Gaining on and passing another boat or vehicle after falling behind.
Grammar: Chiefly nautical or literary; it takes an object, as in 'The schooner was overhaling the fleet.'
Patterns
- overhaling a boat
- overhaling another vessel
The small yacht was slowly overhaling the larger one.
By noon the leading ship was overhaling the rest of the fleet.
Word forms
| third person singular | overhales |
|---|---|
| past tense | overhaled |
| past participle | overhaled |
| -ing form | overhaling |
Common combinations
- overhaling the engine
- They are overhaling the engine so it will pass inspection.
- overhaling a ship
- The crew is overhaling the ship in dry dock.
- overhaling the system
- The team is overhaling the booking system to fix delays.
- badly need overhaling
- The old bridge badly needs overhaling.
Synonyms and how they differ
- overhauling
- The usual modern spelling and the form you should use in most writing.
- repairing
- Narrower: it means fixing damage, while overhaling can also mean improving or updating something.
- refitting
- Often used for ships and machines, focusing on replacing parts rather than checking everything.
Word family
Commonly confused: overhaling or overhauling? overhaling or overhearing?
overhaling vs overhauling
The standard modern spelling of this -ing form; 'overhaling' is an older variant and looks unusual to most readers.
overhaling vs overhearing
Sounds similar but means hearing something by accident, not repairing it.
Practice
Which sentence uses the -ing form correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Overhaling' is transitive, so it takes a direct object: overhaling the brakes. The other options add prepositions that this verb does not take.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “overhaling”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.