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View synonyms for

overflow

[ verb oh-ver-floh; noun oh-ver-floh ]

verb (used without object)

overflowed, overflown, overflowing.
  1. to flow or run over, as rivers or water:

    After the thaw, the river overflows and causes great damage.

  2. to have the contents flowing over or spilling, as an overfull container:

    Stop pouring or your glass is going to overflow.

  3. to pass from one place or part to another as if flowing from an overfull space:

    The population overflowed into the adjoining territory.

  4. to be filled or supplied with in great measure:

    a heart overflowing with gratitude; a region overflowing with orchards and vineyards.



verb (used with object)

overflowed, overflown, overflowing.
  1. to flow over; flood; inundate:

    The river overflowed several farms.

  2. to flow over or beyond (the brim, banks, borders, etc.).
  3. to cause to overflow.
  4. to flow over the edge or brim of (a receptacle, container, etc.).
  5. to fill to the point of running over.

noun

  1. an overflowing:

    the annual overflow of the Nile.

  2. something that flows or runs over:

    to carry off the overflow from a fountain.

  3. a portion crowded out of an overfilled place:

    to house the overflow of the museum's collection in another building.

  4. an excess or superabundance:

    an overflow of applicants for the job.

    Synonyms: , , , ,

  5. an outlet or receptacle for excess liquid:

    The tank is equipped with an overflow.

overflow

verb

  1. to flow or run over (a limit, brim, bank, etc)
  2. to fill or be filled beyond capacity so as to spill or run over
  3. intrusually foll bywith to be filled with happiness, tears, etc
  4. tr to spread or cover over; flood or inundate
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. overflowing matter, esp liquid
  2. any outlet that enables surplus liquid to be discharged or drained off, esp one just below the top of a tank or cistern
  3. the amount by which a limit, capacity, etc, is exceeded
  4. computing a condition that occurs when numeric operations produce results too large to store in the memory space assigned to it
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • v·ڱǷa· adjective
  • v·ڱǷiԲ· adverb
  • ܲo··ڱǷiԲ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of overflow1

before 900; Middle English overflowen, Old English Ǵڱڱōɲ. See over-, flow
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Sister Aimee, with her modest demeanor and overflow crowds, was a newsworthy curiosity.

From

Hundreds of mostly white, older constituents spilled over from Cuesta College’s performing arts center to an overflow room in the campus gymnasium.

From

“The promise was that when the glass was full, it would overflow, benefiting the poor,” Francis said.

From

Walking onstage Saturday afternoon in the Mojave Tent, Scott Shriner pumped his fist and drew a huge round of cheers from the overflow crowd of several thousand.

From

Walking onstage Saturday afternoon in the Mojave tent, Scott Shriner pumped his fist and drew a huge round of cheers from the overflow crowd of several thousands.

From

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