overestimate

American  

[oh-ver-es-tuh-meyt, oh-ver-es-tuh-mit] / ˌoʊ vərˈɛs təˌmeɪt, ˈoʊ vərˈɛs tə mɪt /

verb (used with object)

overestimated, overestimating

1. to estimate at too high a value, amount, rate, or the like.

   Don't overestimate the car's trade-in value.

2. to hold in too great esteem or to expect too much from.

   Don't overestimate him—he's no smarter than you are.

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noun

1. an estimate that is too high.

overestimate British  

verb

1. (tr) to value or estimate too highly

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noun

1. an estimate that is too high

Other Word Forms

• overestimation
  noun

Etymology

Origin of overestimate

First recorded in 1815–25; over- + estimate

Explanation

If you're confident your favorite team will win the championship even though the star player is injured, you may want to reconsider: don't let your team spirit cause you to overestimate, or overvalue, the team's abilities. When you estimate something, you make a calculation or a judgment of its value. So, when you overestimate, you assign too much value to the thing you are judging. If you overestimate how much time you have left to get to school, you could be late. Likewise, if you overestimate how prepared you are for a test, you might end up with a poor grade. This verb is the opposite of underestimate, or “to assign too little value.”

Example Sentences

Overestimate your longevity, and you could retire too late or scrimp too much.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 12, 2023

Overestimate," Sharma says, "and you're left holding the bag.

From Time Magazine Archive

Overestimate, ō-vėr-es′tim-āt, v.t. to estimate too highly.—n. an excessive estimate.—n.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various

Related Words

• amplify
• distort
• emphasize
• fabricate
• falsify
• heighten
• inflate
• magnify
• misrepresent
• overdo
• overdraw
• overemphasize