Definition

To work too hard or too much, leading to exhaustion or fatigue.

Example

He tends to overtoil himself by taking on too many projects at once.

Tense Forms

Conversation

I think I might be starting to overtoil at work lately.

Really? I've noticed you've been staying late a lot.

Yeah, it's just that there's so much to do, and I don't want to fall behind.

You should take a break; no job is worth exhausting yourself like that.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Overtoil → It is formed from "over-" (meaning excessively) and "toil" (from Old French *toiler*, meaning to labor or work hard). The word "overtoil" means to labor excessively or to work too hard.

Memory Tip

Think of working 'excessively' ('over-') and 'laboring hard' ('toil') — that's why overtoil means to work too hard.

Visually Confused Words