Word Noun
overuse
n.
uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˌoʊvɝˈjuz/ overuse UK spelling overuses, overusing
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.”
Usage
Often appears in compound nouns like 'overuse injury' or followed by the preposition 'of'.
Etymology
From over- + use.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated