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to overfill

to overfill

3 3.9
To put too much into something so it spills out
  • verb
  • /ˌoʊvərˈfɪl/
translation icon : sobrecargar
  • But I have never really thought about not overfilling my own plate.

It suggests the detergent compartment is being overfilled.

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Examples

  • Overfilling my plate with commitments is not the same as overfilling it with Thanksgiving mashed potatoes.

    Blog text (25)
  • In addition, residents have been urged to minimize spillage by putting all trash in bags and not to overfill containers that are already packed.

    Academic text (2000)
  • One thing I learned about this recipe is not to overfill the cups.

    Blog text (10)
  • I seem to have overfilled the glasses.

  • Carefully, she slid her overfilled pans into the oven.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • To the east, the Big River raced in a torrential flood, overfilling its banks to drown portions of muskeg.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Nora came into the kitchen to pour herself some milk and overfilled the glass.

  • I seem to have overfilled the glasses.

  • William: Mrs. Johnson has a tendency to overfill her plate.

Synonyms

to cram
vsto overfill
16 3.2

Push things or people into a small space until nothing fits

focuses on exceeding capacity rather than the force used to fill
to fill to the brim
vsto overfill
5 2.7

To make something so full that nothing else can fit

means going past full not just being exactly full
to overpack
vsto overfill
4 4.2

To put too many items into a bag or case

means exceeding capacity rather than merely tight internal packing
to overstuff
vsto overfill
3 4.6

To put too much into something so it cannot close or is too full

focuses on exceeding capacity generally rather than bulging appearance
to overcrowd
vsto overfill
1 4.1

To make a place too full by putting too many people or things in it

is broader applying to any container or contents exceeding limits
to overstock
vsto overfill
1 4.5

To put more goods in a shop or warehouse than can be sold

focuses on physical filling beyond capacity rather than surplus stock
to overbrim
vsto overfill
7.8

To be or make something so full that it spills over the edge

describes filling beyond capacity without stressing actual spillage
to chock up
vsto overfill
  • UK
7.4

To fill a space so full that nothing more can be added

implies going past capacity rather than only reaching the full level

Antonyms

To put less filling into something than required

How Full

to overflow
43 2.9
to overfill
3 3.9
to fill
1.0

Surface Forms

overfill infinitive
overfilling present participle
overfills third person singular
overfilled past
overfilled past participle

Morphology

overfill = fill (transparent) = over + fill

The prefix 'over-' meaning 'excessively' combines directly with 'fill' to mean 'fill too much', a straightforward derivation.

Etymology

The word overfill is made of over ('too much' or 'above') and fill ('to make full'), as in overeat where over means 'too much'. Imagine pouring until the top is passed and the liquid spills. That's why overfill means to fill something beyond its limit.