# Ott

/ˈɑt/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ott
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

too much or more than is necessary. You use this when someone's behavior or a style is so extreme that it feels silly or annoying.

For teachers: excessive, exaggerated, or disproportionate to the situation. An abbreviation of 'over the top'; typically used predicatively after a linking verb.

## Examples

- His reaction to the small mistake was a bit OTT.
- The movie's special effects were totally OTT, making the action scenes feel more like a cartoon than a thriller.
- While some critics appreciated the director's bold vision, others felt the operatic performances were far too OTT for such a grounded, intimate script.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He is very over the top." but "He is a bit OTT." — While 'over the top' is the full form, the abbreviation OTT is almost always preceded by 'a bit' or 'totally' rather than 'very' in natural speech.

## Usage notes

- Often follows linking verbs like 'be', 'seem', or 'feel'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.