over|em|pha|sis /oʊ vəre mfəs I s/ N‑SING If you say that there is an overemphasis on a particular thing, you mean that more importance or attention is given to it than is necessary. □ [+ on ] He attributed the party's lack of success to an overemphasis on ideology and ideas.
over|em|pha|size /oʊ vəre mfəsa I z/ (overemphasizes , overemphasizing , overemphasized ) in BRIT, also use overemphasise 1 VERB If you say that someone overemphasizes something, you mean that they give it more importance than it deserves or than you consider appropriate. □ [V n] Of particular importance was Marx's tendency to overemphasize economic conflict.
2 VERB If you say that something cannot be overemphasized , you are emphasizing that you think it is very important. [EMPHASIS ] □ [be V -ed] The importance of education cannot be overemphasised. □ [V n] I can't overemphasize the cleanliness of this place.
over|es|ti|mate (overestimates , overestimating , overestimated ) The verb is pronounced /oʊ vəre st I me I t/. The noun is pronounced /oʊ vəre st I mət/. 1 VERB If you say that someone overestimates something, you mean that they think it is greater in amount or importance than it really is. □ [V n] With hindsight, he was overestimating their desire for peace. [Also V ] ● N‑COUNT Overestimate is also a noun. □ I suspect the figures could be an overestimate. ● over|es|ti|ma|tion /oʊ və r est I me I ʃ ə n/ N‑SING □ [+ of ] …excessive overestimation of one's own importance.
2 VERB If you say that something cannot be overestimated , you are emphasizing that you think it is very important. [EMPHASIS ] □ [be V -ed] The importance of participating in the life of the country cannot be overestimated. □ [V n] It is hard to overestimate the potential gains from this process.
3 VERB If you overestimate someone, you think that they have more of a skill or quality than they really have. □ [V n] I think you overestimate me, Fred.
o ver-exci ted also overexcited ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you say that someone is over-excited , you mean that they are more excited than you think is desirable. □ You'll need to provide continuous, organised entertainment or children may get over-excited.
over|ex|posed /oʊ vər I kspoʊ zd/ ADJ An overexposed photograph is of poor quality because the film has been exposed to too much light, either when the photograph was taken or during the developing process.
over|ex|tend|ed /oʊ vər I kste nd I d/ ADJ If a person or organization is overextended , they have become involved in more activities than they can financially or physically manage. □ The British East India Tea Company was overextended and faced bankruptcy.
over|flight /oʊ və r fla I t/ (overflights ) N‑VAR An overflight is the passage of an aircraft from one country over another country's territory. □ Nations react strongly to unauthorized overflights.
over|flow (overflows , overflowing , overflowed ) The verb is pronounced /oʊ və r floʊ /. The noun is pronounced /oʊ və r floʊ/. 1 VERB [no passive] If a liquid or a river overflows , it flows over the edges of the container or place it is in. □ [V ] Pour in some of the syrup, but not all of it, as it will probably overflow. □ [V n] Rivers and streams have overflowed their banks in countless places.
2 VERB [usu cont] If a place or container is overflowing with people or things, it is too full of them. □ [V + with ] The great hall was overflowing with people. □ [V ] Jails and temporary detention camps are overflowing.
3 N‑COUNT The overflow is the extra people or things that something cannot contain or deal with because it is not large enough. □ Tents have been set up next to hospitals to handle the overflow.
4 N‑COUNT An overflow is a hole or pipe through which liquid can flow out of a container when it gets too full.
5 PHRASE If a place or container is filled to overflowing , it is so full of people or things that no more can fit in. □ The kitchen garden was full to overflowing with fresh vegetables.
over|fly /oʊ və r fla I / (overflies , overflying , overflew , overflown ) VERB When an aircraft overflies an area, it flies over it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] He obtained permission to overfly and photograph the coasts of Spain.
over|ground The adjective is pronounced /oʊ və r graʊnd/. The adverb is pronounced /oʊ və r graʊ nd/. ADJ [ADJ n] In an overground transport system, vehicles run on the surface of the ground, rather than below it. [BRIT ] □ Bus routes and railways, both overground and underground, converged on the station. ● ADV [ADV after v] Overground is also an adverb. □ There are plans to run the line overground close to the village of Boxley.
over|grown /oʊ və r groʊ n/
1 ADJ If a garden or other place is overgrown , it is covered with a lot of untidy plants because it has not been looked after. □ [+ with ] We hurried on until we reached a courtyard overgrown with weeds.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] If you describe an adult as an overgrown child, you mean that their behaviour and attitudes are like those of a child, and that you dislike this. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …a bunch of overgrown kids.