'overeducated' originates from the prefix 'over-' meaning 'excessively' and the word 'educated' from Latin 'educatus', the past participle of 'educare', meaning 'to bring up or train'.

'educatus' transformed into the Old French word 'educer', and eventually became the modern English word 'educate'. The prefix 'over-' was added to form 'overeducated'.

Initially, it meant 'excessively trained or taught', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.