overplay

o·ver·play

O o

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
- [oh-ver-pley]
- /ˌoʊ vərˈpleɪ/
- /ˌəʊ.vəˈpleɪ/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [oh-ver-pley]
- /ˌoʊ vərˈpleɪ/

Definitions of overplay word

verb with object overplay to exaggerate or overemphasize (one's role in a play, an emotion, an effect, etc.): The young actor overplayed Hamlet shamelessly. The director of the movie had overplayed the pathos. 1
verb with object overplay to put too much stress on the value or importance of: A charitable biographer had overplayed the man's piety and benevolence. 1
verb with object overplay Cards. to overestimate the strength of (the cards in one's hand) with consequent loss. 1
verb with object overplay Golf. to hit (the ball) past the putting green. 1
verb with object overplay Archaic. outplay. 1
verb without object overplay to exaggerate one's part, an effect, etc.; overact: Without a firm director she invariably overplays. 1

See all 11 definitions of overplay

Information block about the term

Origin of overplay

First appearance:

before 1640

One of the 44% oldest English words

First recorded in 1640-50; over- + play

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Overplay

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of Overplay

overplay popularity

A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 59% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.

This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

overplay usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for overplay

verb overplay

go overboard — over the side of a ship or boat, especially into or in the water: to fall overboard.
go too far — take sth past acceptable limits
ham up — an actor or performer who overacts.
hyped — to stimulate, excite, or agitate (usually followed by up): She was hyped up at the thought of owning her own car.
hyping — to stimulate, excite, or agitate (usually followed by up): She was hyped up at the thought of owning her own car.

All 23 Synonyms of overplay