overwatered
|o-ver-wa-tered|
🇺🇸
/ˌoʊvərˈwɔːtərd/
🇬🇧
/ˌəʊvəˈwɔːtəd/
(overwater)
watered too much
Etymology
'overwater' originates from English, formed by the prefix 'over-' plus the word 'water'; 'over-' (from Old English 'ofer') meant 'excessively' or 'above', and 'water' (from Old English 'wæter') meant 'water'.
'overwater' is a compound formed in Modern English from 'over' + 'water', with the elements tracing back to Old English 'ofer' and 'wæter'; the past participle form 'overwatered' is derived from this verb by adding the regular past suffix '-ed'.
Initially the components simply denoted 'over' + 'water'; the verb came to mean 'to apply water in excess', and 'overwatered' now describes something 'having been given too much water'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
to give (a plant, soil, etc.) too much water; to water excessively.
They overwatered the seedlings and many of them died from root rot.
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Verb 2
past tense form of 'overwater'.
She overwatered the fern last week.
Verb 3
past participle form of 'overwater'.
The plants were overwatered and showed yellowing leaves.
Adjective 1
having been watered too much; suffering from excess water (often said of plants, soil, or pots).
The overwatered soil was soggy and lacked oxygen for the roots.
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Last updated: 2025/11/16 16:43