# overblown

/ˌoʊvɝˈbɫoʊn/ (US) · /ˌəʊvəblˈəʊn/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/overblown
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

describing something that is much more important or dramatic than it really is. You use this when you think a situation is being made to look bigger than it should be.

For teachers: exaggerated in importance, size, or intensity; lacking in proportion. Often used to describe reactions, descriptions, or physical features that are perceived as excessive.

## Examples

- The movie's ending was overblown and didn't make sense.
- The media's reaction to the minor scandal was overblown, causing unnecessary panic among the public.
- While the initial report suggested a catastrophic failure, the subsequent investigation revealed the incident to be an overblown technical glitch with no long-term impact on the system's integrity.

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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.