overly
gb/ˈoʊvɚli/ us/ˈoʊvɚli/
B2
English
~ 6900
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B2
property
1
too much; excessively
More than is good or needed; too much.
Usage pattern:
overly [adjective]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *overly* where *very* or *too* is better. *Overly* is usually used before adjectives with a negative or critical idea ("overly sensitive", "overly strict"), and it often sounds more formal than *too*. Avoid saying "very overly" (e.g. "very overly excited"), which is redundant. Also avoid using *overly* directly before nouns (say "overly strict rules", not "overly rules").
Synonyms
too (The most common everyday word; sounds slightly more casual and is more flexible in position in the sentence.)
|
excessively (More formal and technical-sounding than "overly"; often used in academic or professional writing.)
Antonyms
slightly (Suggests a small amount instead of too much.)
|
moderately (Suggests a reasonable, balanced amount instead of an excessive one.)
Collocations
overly complicated
|overly sensitive
|overly optimistic
|overly aggressive
|overly dramatic
|overly critical
Themes
opinions
|emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The report was rejected because it was overly long and detailed.
- You’re being overly critical of your own work.
- The movie was entertaining but overly sentimental in places.
- He tends to be overly optimistic about how much he can finish in a day.
- Some people found the security measures overly strict.
Learner examples
- She is overly careful about small things.
- My boss is overly strict with new workers.
- The test was not hard, but it was overly long.
- Don’t be overly worried about one bad grade.
- He was overly proud of his small success.
Grammar
Dictionary form
overly
IPA
GB/ˈoʊvɚli/
US/ˈoʊvɚli/
Syllables & stress
overly (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (overly)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: overly
- Plural: overlies
Word family
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.