overactive

American  

[oh-ver-ak-tiv] / ˌoʊ vərˈæk tɪv /

adjective

1. exceptionally or excessively active; too active.

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overactive British  

/ ˌəʊvərˈæktɪv /

adjective

1. inordinately active

2. (of the thyroid or adrenal gland, nervous system, etc) functioning at too high a capacity

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Other Word Forms

• overactiveness noun
• overactivity noun

Etymology

Origin of overactive

First recorded in 1640–50; over- + active

Example Sentences

It occurs when an overactive immune system begins attacking the cells that create pigment, or color, in the skin.

From Literature

Noah has an overactive imagination, written on every school report I’ve ever gotten.

From Literature

It might be my overactive imagination, but Ren’s smile seems tighter than everyone else’s, his happiness for me strained.

From Literature

"And why were you wasting precious time listening to an overaged delivery boy with an overactive imagination when you should have been studying."

From Literature

My mother used to tell me that I had an overactive imagination; Tom said that, too.

From Literature

Related Words

• excitable
• high-strung