übergreifen

[ˈyːbɐˌɡʁaɪ̯fn̩]

/[ˈyːbɐˌɡʁaɪ̯fn̩]/ verb

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

The verdict

“übergreifen” is uncommon German (frequency #51,880 among 5,800 “Ü” headwords), classed as a verb. The kind of spelling people second-guess.

#51,880
frequency rank, German
5,800
“Ü” headwords

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - so anfassen, dass dabei die eine Hand über die andere geführt und neben ihr platziert wird

Key facts for übergreifen
PropertyValue
Headwordübergreifen
LanguageGerman
Part of speechVerb
IPA[ˈyːbɐˌɡʁaɪ̯fn̩]
Letters11
Frequency rank#51,880
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “übergreifen” sits in German frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). übergreifen lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Rare enough to double-check

übergreifen is uncommon German at frequency #51,880 among 5,800 “Ü” headwords, classed as averb, transcribed [ˈyːbɐˌɡʁaɪ̯fn̩]. Rarity is why readers land here mid-draft. 2 senses are on record.

No generated misspelling entries exist for übergreifen in our index, since its letter sequence doesn't invite the usual edit-distance slips. We don't track a confusable pairing for this entry, which usually means its spelling is distinct enough that readers don't reach for a similar-looking word instead.

Wiktionary doesn't record an etymology for this headword, so its spelling is easiest explained by how it's pronounced rather than where it came from. The correct German form is übergreifen, spelled Ü-B-E-R-G-R-E-I-F-E-N.

Definition

  1. 1
    so anfassen, dass dabei die eine Hand über die andere geführt und neben ihr platziert wird
  2. 2
    wachsen und sich auch auf anderes ausdehnen

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 German corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "übergreifen"?
"übergreifen" is spelled Ü-B-E-R-G-R-E-I-F-E-N. The IPA pronunciation is [ˈyːbɐˌɡʁaɪ̯fn̩].
What does "übergreifen" mean?
As a verb, "übergreifen" means: so anfassen, dass dabei die eine Hand über die andere geführt und neben ihr platziert wird
How do you pronounce "übergreifen"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "übergreifen" is [ˈyːbɐˌɡʁaɪ̯fn̩]. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What language does "übergreifen" come from?
"übergreifen" is a German word. PlainSpell covers definitions, pronunciations, and spelling data across English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and German.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “übergreifen”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct German spelling is Ü-B-E-R-G-R-E-I-F-E-N - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as [ˈyːbɐˌɡʁaɪ̯fn̩] (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Browse more German words and confusable pairs in the same reference. German words

Other uncommon German words near this rank

Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list