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verb B2 Upper-Intermediate

overestimate

oh-vuhr-EHS-tih-mayt

Overestimate (verb) means to judge or guess that something is larger, better, or more significant than it really is. Example: “He overestimated how long the drive would take.”

verb
1
To judge or guess that something is larger, better, or more significant than it really is.
"He overestimated how long the drive would take."
"The company overestimated demand and produced too much stock."
noun
1
A guess or calculation that turns out to be too high.
"Their sales forecast was a huge overestimate."

How to use overestimate

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo guess higher than the true amount, value, or difficulty.

Easily confused with
Common pairings
overestimate the cost overestimate one's abilities

Word forms

overestimated past tense, overestimates plural, overestimates singular

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He _____ how long the drive would take.

Etymology

From over- + estimate.

Related words

Rhymes for overestimate

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Frequently asked questions

What does “overestimate” mean?

The word “overestimate” means to judge or guess that something is larger, better, or more significant than it really is. In plain terms, to guess higher than the true amount, value, or difficulty.

How do you pronounce “overestimate”?

“Overestimate” is pronounced oh-vuhr-EHS-tih-mayt (/ˌəʊvəɹˈɛstɪmeɪt/ in IPA).

How do you use “overestimate” in a sentence?

Here is “overestimate” used in a sentence: “He overestimated how long the drive would take.”

What is the opposite of “overestimate”?

The opposite of “overestimate” — its antonyms — is underestimate.

What part of speech is “overestimate”?

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

How many meanings does “overestimate” have?

“Overestimate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to judge or guess that something is larger, better, or more significant than it really is.

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