overact
|o-ver-act|
B2
🇺🇸
/ˌoʊvərˈækt/
🇬🇧
/ˌəʊvərˈækt/
exaggerated acting
Etymology
Etymology Information
'overact' originates from the prefix 'over-' meaning 'excessively' and the verb 'act' meaning 'to perform.'
Historical Evolution
'overact' was formed by combining the prefix 'over-' with the verb 'act' in Middle English.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'to perform excessively,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
to act in an exaggerated manner, often to the point of being unrealistic or overly dramatic.
The actor tends to overact in emotional scenes.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:45