wash over

verb

To pass (one) unnoticed so that one is unaffected by it.

“The river washed over the embankment at several places.”

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Meanings

verbwash over (third-person singular simple present washes over, present participle washing over, simple past and past participle washed over)

present singular third person washes over · participle present washing over · participle past washed over · past washed over

  1. transitiveTo pass (one) unnoticed so that one is unaffected by it.

    The news of the actor's death just washed over me, as I had never particularly cared for him.

  2. transitiveTo affect the emotions of (a person) suddenly and overwhelmingly.

    Embarrassment washed over me as I realized I had forgotten the notes for my presentation.

  3. transitiveTo surge over the banks, or other retaining structure.

    The river washed over the embankment at several places.

Cite this entry
APA

wash over. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/wash%20over

MLA

“wash over.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/wash%20over. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “wash over,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/wash%20over.

Source: wash over on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.