# overture

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈəʊvətjʊə/ · frequency rank #28,659

## Definitions
1. An opening; a recess or chamber.
2. Disclosure; discovery; revelation.
3. An approach or proposal made to initiate communication, establish a relationship etc.
4. A motion placed before a legislative body, such as the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
5. A musical introduction to a longer piece of music or a dramatic work (such as a play, an opera, or a motion picture).
6. A medley of themes from a larger work, such as an opera or musical, typically played at the beginning but sometimes played at any part of the work or performed as a standalone piece.

## Etymology
From Middle English overture, from Anglo-Norman, Middle French overture, from Old French overture. Doublet of aperture.

## Easily confused with
- **overuse** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/overture-vs-overuse)
- **overturn** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/overture-vs-overturn)
- **overdue** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/overdue-vs-overture)
- **overtime** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/overtime-vs-overture)
- **overtake** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/overtake-vs-overture)
- **overrule** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/overrule-vs-overture)
- **overthrew** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/overthrew-vs-overture)

## Common misspellings (11)
`oevrture`, `overrture`, `overtrue`, `overtture`, `overtuer`, `overturre`, `overutre`, `ovetrure`, `ovreture`, `ovverture`, `voerture`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/overture