Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

overdefine

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 0.00 in modern English

Syllables: overde-fine
IPA

17

Scrabble Score

10

Letters

2

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To define too rigidly, or in too much depth.

Transitive verb

Example Sentences

"Most students want to overdefine every flower and leaf. In the assignment above, I spoke of “the essence of flowers.” If you overdefine and explain every petal, you will lose the sense of softness and mystery."
"The adolescent search for a new and a reliable identity can perhaps best be seen in the persistent endeavor to define, to overdefine, and to redefine oneself and each other in often ruthless comparison […]"

Etymology

From over- + define.

Word Breakdown

Prefix: over

Usage

Transitive verb

Inflected Forms

overdefines (present, singular) overdefining (participle, present) overdefined (participle, past) overdefined (past)

Frequently Paired Words

overdefinition

Questions

What does overdefine mean?: To define too rigidly, or in too much depth.
Where does overdefine come from?: From over- + define.

How to pronounce overdefine

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “overdefine”.
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