overplayed
|o-ver-played|
🇺🇸
/ˌoʊvərˈpleɪ/
🇬🇧
/ˌəʊvəˈpleɪ/
(overplay)
exaggerate
Etymology
'overplay' originates from Old English elements: the prefix 'over-' (from Old English 'ofer') meaning 'beyond' or 'excess', combined with 'play' (from Old English 'plegian'/'plega') meaning 'to play or exercise'.
'play' developed from Old English 'plega/plegian' into Middle English 'pleien/pleyen' and modern English 'play'; the prefix 'over-' (Old English 'ofer') was attached in Middle to Early Modern English to form 'overplay', and 'overplayed' is its past/past-participle form.
Initially it literally meant 'to play too much' or 'to play beyond what is appropriate'; over time it also acquired figurative senses such as 'to exaggerate' or 'to overemphasize', which remain in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
past tense or past participle form of 'overplay' (to play something too often or to exaggerate/emphasize something too much).
Radio stations overplayed the new single until listeners were tired of it.
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Adjective 1
worn out or rendered ineffective by excessive playing or use; clichéd or stale from overexposure.
That song sounds overplayed — it lost its impact from constant airplay.
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Adjective 2
overstated or exaggerated (often about actions or claims) — having been given too much emphasis.
His praise felt overplayed and insincere.
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Idioms
Last updated: 2025/11/02 19:36