overactive

[ oh-ver-ak-tiv ]
See synonyms for overactive on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. exceptionally or excessively active; too active.

Origin of overactive

1
First recorded in 1640–50; over- + active

Other words from overactive

  • o·ver·ac·tiv·i·ty, o·ver·ac·tive·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use overactive in a sentence

  • Goldstein reported a case of gigantism from overactivity of the pituitary gland after castration.

  • Sufferers from overactivity of the thyroid gland eat voraciously, but, in spite of doing so, are thin or even emaciated.

    Physiology | Ernest G. Martin
  • If the overactivity of the gland becomes too pronounced, mental instability or even marked insanity results.

    Physiology | Ernest G. Martin

British Dictionary definitions for overactive

overactive

/ (ˌəʊvərˈæktɪv) /


adjective
  1. inordinately active

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012