verb
B1
Intermediate
overwork
oh-vuh-WURK
Overwork (verb) means to make someone work too hard, or to work too hard yourself. Example: “The company was accused of overworking its staff.”
verb
1
To make someone work too hard, or to work too hard yourself.
"The company was accused of overworking its staff."
"He overworked himself and ended up ill."
noun
1
Too much work; work that goes beyond a reasonable amount.
"Her exhaustion was a clear sign of overwork."
How to use overwork
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDoing, or being made to do, far more work than is healthy or reasonable.
Common pairings
risk of overwork
overworked and underpaid
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- overworks
- Past tense
- overworked, overwrought
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The company was accused of _____ its staff.
Etymology
From Old English oferwyrċan, "to overwork," formed from over- + work.
Synonyms
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exploit
overworking
Related words
Rhymes for overwork
See all rhymes for overwork →Frequently asked questions
What does “overwork” mean?
The word “overwork” means to make someone work too hard, or to work too hard yourself. In plain terms, doing, or being made to do, far more work than is healthy or reasonable.
How do you pronounce “overwork”?
“Overwork” is pronounced oh-vuh-WURK (/ˌoʊvɚˈwɝk/ in IPA).
How do you use “overwork” in a sentence?
Here is “overwork” used in a sentence: “The company was accused of overworking its staff.”
What part of speech is “overwork”?
Depending on how it is used, “overwork” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “overwork” come from?
The word “overwork” comes from Old English. From Old English oferwyrċan, "to overwork," formed from over- + work.
How many meanings does “overwork” have?
“Overwork” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make someone work too hard, or to work too hard yourself.
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