Word
overly
Phoneticsover·ly
US/ˈoʊvɝɫi/
UK/ˈəʊvəlˌi/
Adverb of degree
Definitions
01too much
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adv. more than is necessary, helpful, or good.
adv. to an excessive or disproportionate degree; used to modify adjectives to indicate a negative surplus.
日本語:あまりに※
“I think you are being overly worried about the weather for the party.”
“The manager was overly critical of the new staff, which led to a significant drop in team morale over the following months.”
Usage
Usually placed immediately before the adjective or adverb it modifies.
Pitfall
The movie was overly long.
The movie was too long.
While 'overly' is correct, some writers consider it redundant and prefer 'too' or 'excessively' in formal contexts.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02very (in negative sentences)
C1 · Advanced Informal
adv. used with 'not' to mean 'not very' or 'not particularly'.
adv. used in negative constructions to mean 'to a high degree' or 'particularly'.
日本語:あまり※
“I'm not overly fond of spicy food, but I'll try a little bit.”
“The shareholders were not overly impressed by the CEO's explanation for the quarterly losses, despite his optimistic projections for the future.”
Usage
Almost exclusively used in the negative form 'not overly'.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “overly” in context.
Verb
01. remained overly defensive
“The manager remained overly defensive when the team suggested improvements to the workflow.”
verb + adv + adj
02. seemed overly anxious
“The candidate seemed overly anxious during the interview, despite her impressive resume.”
verb + adv + adj
Adjective
03. overly cautious approach
“The board's overly cautious approach prevented the company from expanding into emerging markets.”
adv + adj + noun
04. overly complicated instructions
“I struggled to assemble the desk because the manual provided overly complicated instructions.”
adv + adj + noun
05. overly concerned with appearances
“He is overly concerned with appearances and spends a fortune on designer clothing.”
adv + adj + prep + noun
06. overly dependent on technology
“Modern society has become overly dependent on technology for even the simplest daily tasks.”
adv + adj + prep + noun
07. overly optimistic about the outcome
“The CEO was overly optimistic about the outcome of the merger, ignoring several warning signs.”
adv + adj + prep + noun
08. overly sensitive to criticism
“New writers are often overly sensitive to criticism and take every negative comment to heart.”
adv + adj + prep + noun
Real-World Examples
“Overly glib or sarcastic messages can get you into trouble, even if they are funny, reckons Paul Fitzsimmons, head of sales and marketing at law firm Wilford Smith.” “When training is poorly timed, overly complex or insufficiently supported, it can become an additional job demand.” - Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/overly
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0