overblown

¹

[oh-ver-blohn]

adjective

1. overdone or excessive.

   overblown praise.

2. of unusually large size or proportions.

   a majestic, overblown figure.

3. overinflated; turgid; bombastic; pretentious.

   overblown prose.

verb

1. past participle of overblow.

overblown

²

[oh-ver-blohn]

adjective

1. (of a flower) past the stage of full bloom; more than full-blown.

   an overblown rose.

overblown

/ ˌəʊvəˈbləʊn /

adjective

1. overdone or excessive

2. bombastic; turgid

   overblown prose

3. (of flowers, such as the rose) past the stage of full bloom

Word History and Origins

Origin of overblown¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; over- + blown ¹

Origin of overblown²

First recorded in 1610–20; over- + blown ²

Example Sentences

Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson, 55, shook her head when asked about the military presence, and said the whole situation seemed unnecessary and overblown.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Concerns around the story abound which we believe are overblown,” he wrote.

Read more on MarketWatch

However, others suggest the influence of stamp duty could be overblown.

Read more on BBC

But as the movies and this show keep proving, our estimation of our supposed genius is probably overblown.

Read more on Salon

But she said the fear, although legitimate, appears to be overblown.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• disproportionate 
• inflated 
• pretentious 
• superfluous