Word
overuse
/ˌoʊvɝˈjuz/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. the act of using something too much or too often, which can lead to damage or loss of quality.
n. the excessive or redundant use of something, often resulting in diminished effectiveness or physical strain.
Examples
“The overuse of antibiotics is a serious health concern.”
“Doctors warned that her wrist pain was caused by the overuse of her computer mouse during long work shifts.”
“The critic argued that the film's overuse of special effects ultimately distracted the audience from its weak narrative and underdeveloped characters.”
Examples
simple
“The overuse of antibiotics is a serious health concern.”
contextual
“Doctors warned that her wrist pain was caused by the overuse of her computer mouse during long work shifts.”
complex
“The critic argued that the film's overuse of special effects ultimately distracted the audience from its weak narrative and underdeveloped characters.”
Usage
Often appears in compound nouns like 'overuse injury' or followed by the preposition 'of'.
Real-World Examples
“A tell-tale sign of AI-generated text is the overuse of certain words that the models seem to favor.” Etymology
From over- + use.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- 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
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/overuse