Overly

Pronunciation varies by accent · adverb

Meaning

(sometimes proscribed) To an excessive degree..

Definitions by Sense

1. (sometimes proscribed) To an excessive degree.
2. (usually negative) To a high degree; very.
3. (obsolete) Superficially.
4. (obsolete) Carelessly, without due attention.
5. (obsolete) With a sense of superiority, haughtily.
6. (obsolete) Superficial; not thorough; careless, negligent, inattentive.
7. (obsolete) Having a sense of superiority, haughty.
8. (obsolete) Excessive; too great.

Example Sentences

Parents can be overly protective of their children.

[…] considering the circumstances of my situation, I saw it would not do for me to look out for an overly young woman, nor yet would it do for one of my ways to take an elderly maiden, ladies of that sort being liable to possess strong-set particularities.

It’s nothing short of wonderful how she’s improved these three years, but especially in looks. She’s a real pretty girl got to be, though I can’t say I’m overly partial to that pale, big-eyed style myself.

Your race is overly sentimental; it distorts your judgment.

This means, at times, long and perhaps overly discursive discussions of other taxa.

And this is where the larger problem lies: when states try to enforce impossible bans, everyone loses. 3D printing farragoes have all the hallmarks of the absolute worst kind of ineffectual ban: one which encourages overly draconian laws that carry huge side effects, and that ultimately to have little to no effect.

I'm not overly enthusiastic about meeting him.

1566, Thomas Blundeville, The Fower Chiefyst Offices Belongyng to Horsemanshippe, London, “The true Arte of Paring, and shooyng all maner of Houes together […] ,” Chapter 5, […] let him not touche the quarters nor the heeles at al, vnlesse it be to make the seat of the shoe playne, & let that be done so superficially or ouerly as maye be, so shall the houes remayne alwayes strong.

Synonyms for overly

Antonyms for overly

Related Words

Word Forms

• more overly
• most overly

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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