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overlyTo an excessive degree; more than is reasonable, appropriate, or desirable.

Part of speech: ADVERB

Definition: To an excessive degree; more than is reasonable, appropriate, or desirable.

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈoʊvərli/

Example Sentences

  • My mom is overly protective - she still cuts my sandwich crusts and I'm 25!
  • The director was overly demanding during the project.
  • Don't be overly modest about your achievements.

overly

ADVERB

[/ˈoʊvərli/]

To an excessive degree; more than is reasonable, appropriate, or desirable.

To an excessive degree; more than is reasonable, appropriate, or desirable.
💡 Concept

To an excessive degree; more than is reasonable, appropriate, or desirable.

When scholarly passion becomes overly excessive!
🎵 Rhyme

When scholarly passion becomes overly excessive!

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈoʊvərli/

🌳Etymology

Rootover
Suffix--ly

Origin

From Middle English, combining 'over' (meaning above or beyond) with the adverbial suffix '-ly'. The word developed to express the idea of going beyond what is appropriate or necessary.

Breakdown

over- (beyond, excessively) + -ly (adverb suffix meaning 'in a manner of')

🎵Rhyme

cleverlyproperlyutterly

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

My mom is overly protective - she still cuts my sandwich crusts and I'm 25!

The director was overly demanding during the project.

Don't be overly modest about your achievements.

😄 Fun example

He's overly confident that he'll win the lottery every week.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

excessivelyextremelyundulytooexceedingly

Antonyms

insufficientlyinadequately

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