adj
overworked
Overworked (adj) means Made to work too hard, often to the point of exhaustion. Example: “The overworked nurses were relieved when extra staff arrived.”
adj
1
Made to work too hard, often to the point of exhaustion.
"The overworked nurses were relieved when extra staff arrived."
2
Used so often that it has become stale or lost its impact.
"The phrase "at the end of the day" has become an overworked cliché."
How to use overworked
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither exhausted from too much work, or worn out from overuse (of a phrase or idea).
Common pairings
overworked and underpaid
overworked cliché
overworked metaphor
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more overworked
- Superlative
- most overworked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ nurses were relieved when extra staff arrived.
Etymology
Formed from overwork and -ed.
Rhymes for overworked
See all rhymes for overworked →Frequently asked questions
What does “overworked” mean?
The word “overworked” means made to work too hard, often to the point of exhaustion. In plain terms, either exhausted from too much work, or worn out from overuse (of a phrase or idea).
How do you use “overworked” in a sentence?
Here is “overworked” used in a sentence: “The overworked nurses were relieved when extra staff arrived.”
What part of speech is “overworked”?
“Overworked” is an adjective.
How many meanings does “overworked” have?
“Overworked” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: made to work too hard, often to the point of exhaustion.
