Words / B2

OHV-uh-lee/ˈəʊvəli/

Overly means too much; more than is reasonable: overly long; overly optimistic. Too is everyday; excessively is heavier. An overly long quote still needs a comment. Mix-up: overall (already in the dictionary); overlay is to cover. Do not pair overly with too in the same phrase.

Meaning

Too much; more than is reasonable.

Examples

• “An overly long quote still needs a comment of your own.”
• “The forecast was overly optimistic, which is the “too cheerful” sense.”

Good to know

overly + adjective / adverb. Everyday: too. Trap: overall / overlay. Evaluations and news. Excessively, not “in general”.

Near in meaning

too

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