overfill
Elementary (A2)
IPA: /ˈoʊvərˌfɪl/
KK: /ˈoʊvərˌfɪl/
intransitive verb
Definition
To become too full, often resulting in spilling or overflowing.
Example
The cup will overfill if you pour too much water into it.
Tense Forms
Past: overfilled
Past Participle: overfilled
Conversation
I think I might have overfilled the cup again.
Oh no! How much did you spill this time?
Just a little, but it always seems to happen when I'm not careful.
Maybe you should switch to a smaller cup to avoid that!
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
overflow
spill
brim
Antonyms
drain
empty
deplete
transitive verb
Definition
To fill something so much that it spills over the top.
Example
Be careful not to overfill the cup, or the water will spill.
Tense Forms
Past: overfilled
Past Participle: overfilled
Conversation
I accidentally overfilled the water bottle this morning.
Oh no! Did it spill everywhere?
Yeah, it made such a mess on my desk.
Root Explanation
Overfill → It is formed from "over-" (meaning excessively or too much) and "fill" (from Old English "fyllan", meaning to make full). The word "overfill" means to fill something excessively or beyond its capacity.
Memory Tip
Think of putting in 'too much' ('over-') until something is 'full' ('fill'). This helps you remember that overfill means to fill something beyond its limit.
Visually Confused Words
No commonly confused words.