overthink

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word overthink. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word overthink, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say overthink in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word overthink you have here. The definition of the word overthink will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofoverthink, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Pronunciation

  • Audio (US):(file)

Etymology 1

From Middle English *overthenken, *overthenchen (compare Middle English overthinken (to grieve; have regrets; be sorry; be anxious)), from Old English oferþenċan (to think over; consider), equivalent to over- +‎ think.

Verb

overthink (third-person singular simple present overthinks, present participle overthinking, simple past and past participle overthought)

  1. (archaic) To think about; think over
    • 1695, J.D. Albany, The Banishment of poverty:
      But when I dred that wou'd not work,
      I overthought me of a Wile
      How I might at my leisure lurk,
      My graceless Guardain to beguile.

Etymology 2

From over- +‎ think.

Verb

overthink (third-person singular simple present overthinks, present participle overthinking, simple past and past participle overthought)

  1. To think or analyze too much.
    Don't overthink the problem. It's not that difficult.
  2. (rare) To think too highly (of); overestimate
    • 1859, Henry Ward Beecher, Sermons, page 25:
      So to think of self as not to overthink — to think of yourself with sober, moral judgment.
Antonyms
Translations

Anagrams