Word
overthink
Phoneticsover·think
Irregular verb
Forms
Infinitive
overthink
Past
overthought
Past participle
overthought
Definitions
01to analyze too much
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to spend too much time thinking about something, often making it seem more difficult than it really is.
v. to analyze a situation or piece of information to an excessive degree, often resulting in psychological distress or paralysis by analysis.
“I tend to overthink my emails before I send them, worrying about every word.”
“She spent the entire weekend overthinking the manager's brief comment, convinced it was a subtle critique of her performance.”
02to consider carefully
C2 · Proficiency Archaic
v. to think about something very carefully or for a long time.
v. to reflect upon or consider a matter thoroughly. This sense is largely replaced by 'think over' in modern contexts.
“The old scholar would overthink the ancient texts for many hours.”
“In the quiet of the library, he would overthink the philosophical implications of the manuscript until the candles burned low.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Throughout my time at school in the early 2010s, I hated the prospect of new social situations and would often lie awake at night overthinking the day to come.” “But try not to overthink it – it’s play, and it should be fun.” Etymology
From Middle English overthenken, overthenchen (compare Middle English overthinken (“to grieve; have regrets; be sorry; be anxious”)), from Old English oferþenċan (“to think over; consider”), equivalent to over- + think.
From over- + think.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/overthink