overblown
1 Americanadjective
-
overdone or excessive.
overblown praise.
-
of unusually large size or proportions.
a majestic, overblown figure.
-
overinflated; turgid; bombastic; pretentious.
overblown prose.
verb
adjective
adjective
-
overdone or excessive
-
bombastic; turgid
overblown prose
-
(of flowers, such as the rose) past the stage of full bloom
Etymology
Origin of overblown1
First recorded in 1590–1600; over- + blown 1
Origin of overblown2
Explanation
Overblown describes fears or concerns that are excessive, such as a overblown worry that people will notice a spot of dirt on your shoe and decide not to be your friend anymore. Overblown is a word gardeners use to describe their flowers that, having bloomed, now hang heavy on their stems. You can use it to describe other things that are past their prime like an overblown fashion trend everyone is tired of. Another meaning is an extreme display of vanity, like the overblown decorating style of a famous actor's home — complete with photos, memorabilia from past films, and award trophies everywhere you look.
Vocabulary lists containing overblown
Talk Like Shakespeare Day, List 7
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The Unteachables
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Projekt 1065
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Some argued that the fears of displacement from AI are overblown.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 23, 2026
One IBM alum, who now runs his own AI company, praised Krishna for his candor and said the market reaction was overblown.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 16, 2026
Prof Channa Jayasena, a reproductive endocrinologist at Imperial College, London, believes there is room for valid concern around falling sperm counts, but says claims about male fertility problems are overblown on social media.
From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026
Acts of piracy by Tripoli, Jefferson’s main excuse for fighting, were overblown as well.
From Salon ● Jul. 4, 2026
She was no stranger to the overblown courtesies of Qarth.
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
