overdevelop
|o-ver-de-vel-op|
C1
🇺🇸
/ˌoʊvərdɪˈvɛləp/
🇬🇧
/ˌəʊvəˈdɛvələp/
excessive development
Etymology
Etymology Information
'overdevelop' originates from English, combining the prefix 'over-' meaning 'excessively' with 'develop' from Old French 'desveloper', meaning 'to unwrap'.
Historical Evolution
'desveloper' transformed into the English word 'develop', and with the addition of the prefix 'over-', it became 'overdevelop'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, 'develop' meant 'to unwrap or unfold', but over time, 'overdevelop' evolved to mean 'to develop excessively'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
to develop something excessively or beyond what is necessary or desirable.
The city has overdeveloped its waterfront, leading to environmental concerns.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/06/06 22:55