Word
overused
US/ˌoʊvɝˈjuzd/
UK/ˌəʊvəjˈuːzd/
Definition
v. used too many times, so it has lost its original power or meaning. You use this to describe words, phrases, or even things like a tired old joke.
v. used to such an extent that its original impact, novelty, or effectiveness has been diminished. Often describes linguistic expressions or physical objects that have reached a state of exhaustion.
Examples
“The phrase 'at the end of the day' is overused in business meetings.”
“The critic argued that the director's reliance on slow-motion shots had become overused, making the film feel repetitive.”
“While the metaphor was initially fresh and insightful, its overuse in subsequent marketing campaigns rendered it a hollow cliché that failed to resonate with the target audience.”
Examples
simple
“The phrase 'at the end of the day' is overused in business meetings.”
contextual
“The critic argued that the director's reliance on slow-motion shots had become overused, making the film feel repetitive.”
complex
“While the metaphor was initially fresh and insightful, its overuse in subsequent marketing campaigns rendered it a hollow cliché that failed to resonate with the target audience.”
Etymology
From over- + used.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/overused