ENGLISH
REFERENCE

overdose

v. · n.
US //ˈoʊvɝˌdoʊs// UK //ˈəʊvədˌəʊz// over·dose
  1. 1 to take too much drug (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Medicine

    to take a dangerous amount of a drug or medicine.

    to ingest or administer a dose of a drug that is excessive and potentially lethal. Often used intransitively.

    Example

    He accidentally overdosed on his heart medication because he forgot he had already taken a pill.

    Example

    The patient had overdosed on a combination of prescription painkillers and alcohol, necessitating immediate intervention by the emergency response team.
  2. 2 to do too much of something (v.)
    C1 Advanced Informal

    to do or experience too much of something until you are tired of it.

    to indulge in an activity or experience to an excessive degree. Figurative use.

    Example

    I think I overdosed on chocolate cake at the party last night.

    Example

    After three weeks of visiting museums every single day, the students felt they had overdosed on Renaissance art and requested a trip to the beach.

    Usage

    Usually takes the preposition 'on'.
  3. 3 a dangerous dose (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Medicine

    a dangerous or lethal amount of a drug.

    an excessive and dangerous dose of a drug or medicine.

    Example

    The hospital treated several people for a drug overdose over the weekend.

    Example

    The coroner's report confirmed that the cause of death was an accidental overdose of a powerful sedative.
    • lethal dose
Origin

From over- + dose.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Last updated June 20, 2026