noun Uncommon

overflow

OH-vuh-floh

Overflow (noun) means Liquid or material that spills over because there is too much of it. Example: “The overflow from the bathtub soaked the bathroom floor.”

noun

Liquid or material that spills over because there is too much of it.

"The overflow from the bathtub soaked the bathroom floor."

A pipe or outlet designed to release excess liquid.

"Check that the sink's overflow isn't blocked with debris."

verb

To spill over the edge or limit of something.

"The river overflowed its banks after days of heavy rain."

"The venue overflowed with fans an hour before the show."

How to Use Overflow

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo spill past the normal limit, or the excess that spills over.

Common pairings

overflow pipe river overflow overflow with

Word Forms

overflowed past tense, overflown past tense, overflows plural, overflows singular

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Can you complete this real example?

The _____ from the bathtub soaked the bathroom floor.

Etymology

From Old English oferflōwan, from over- + flow.

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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flood runoff overrun outpouring run over overspill well over brim over spill over bubble over

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “overflow” mean?

The word “overflow” means liquid or material that spills over because there is too much of it. In plain terms, to spill past the normal limit, or the excess that spills over.

How do you pronounce “overflow”?

“Overflow” is pronounced OH-vuh-floh (/ˈəʊvəˌfləʊ/ in IPA).

How do you use “overflow” in a sentence?

Here is “overflow” used in a sentence: “The overflow from the bathtub soaked the bathroom floor.”

What part of speech is “overflow”?

Depending on how it is used, “overflow” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “overflow” come from?

The word “overflow” comes from Old English. From Old English oferflōwan, from over- + flow.

Is “overflow” a common word?

“Overflow” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “overflow” have?

“Overflow” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: liquid or material that spills over because there is too much of it.

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