Words / C2

ohv-uh-RORT/ˌəʊvəˈrɔːt/

Overwrought means extremely nervous or upset, or of style, too elaborate: overwrought with worry, overwrought prose. Upset is everyday; histrionic (already in the dictionary) is theatrical emotion. Wrought is worked (as metal) — the image is something worked past the point of use. Do not dismiss a numbered flame risk as overwrought.

Meaning

Extremely nervous or upset; of style, too elaborate.

Examples

• “An overwrought preface is not a sample-size sentence.”
• “Upset is everyday. Agitated is close. Histrionic is acting emotion (already in C2). Ornate is decorated. A short, dated objection can be calm and still be right. A purple preface that never states the n is overwrought in the style sense. Cut the adjectives; keep the cell.”

Good to know

Over-emotional; of style, overworked. Everyday: upset / overdone. Close: histrionic (already in C2). A dated risk is not hysteria.

Near in meaning

upset

New