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.
The U.S. strategic crude stockpiles are dwindling at a record pace and are approaching their lowest in decades — but concerns about slimmer reserves may be overblown.
From MarketWatch • May 28, 2026
Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, whose comments have stoked anxiety about AI's potential effects on society, are now arguing that doom-laden warnings were overblown or, in some cases, disingenuous.
From Barron's • May 27, 2026
Jefferies software analyst Brent Thill calls the rebound a correction from an overblown selloff.
From Barron's • May 22, 2026
Washington Metro demonstrated how a public work can be both infrastructure and symbol without lapsing into overblown architectural propaganda.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026
Bagman looked somehow like a slightly overblown cartoon figure, standing amid all the pale-faced champions.
From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling
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.
