overelaborate
[ adjective oh-ver-i-lab-er-it; verb oh-ver-i-lab-uh-reyt ]
/ adjective ˈoʊ vər ɪˈlæb ər ɪt; verb ˌoʊ vər ɪˈlæb əˌreɪt /
adjective
excessively or fussily elaborate, ornate, detailed, etc.
verb (used with object), o·ver·e·lab·o·rat·ed, o·ver·e·lab·o·rat·ing.
to render or present with excessive or fussy detail: He so overelaborates his jokes that they lose their humor.
verb (used without object), o·ver·e·lab·o·rat·ed, o·ver·e·lab·o·rat·ing.
to add excessive details, as in writing or speaking: He overelaborates to an extent that his novels must be cut radically before being published.
Nearby words
overdue, overdye, overeager, overeat, overegg, overelaborate, overemphasis, overemphasize, overenthusiastic, overestimate, overexcite
Related forms
o·ver·e·lab·o·rate·ly, adverbo·ver·e·lab·o·ra·tion, o·ver·e·lab·o·rate·ness, nounDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for overelaborate
"I see," said I—for Mr. Brisher is apt to overelaborate his jokes.
Twelve Stories and a Dream|H. G. WellsIt was a Cosway; but a Cosway broadened and without a hint of genteel namby-pamby or overelaborate finesse.
Visionaries|James HunekerWe had had two meals, one of which was as totally unnecessary as the other was overelaborate.
The Message|Alec John DawsonIt is a work unique, perhaps, in its design, but entirely unfeeling and preposterous in its overelaborate decorations.
The Cathedrals of Southern France|Francis Miltoun
British Dictionary definitions for overelaborate
overelaborate
adjective (ˌəʊvərɪˈlæbərɪt)
excessively ornate, detailed, or complex
verb (ˌəʊvərɪˈlæbəˌreɪt)
(tr) to detail or develop (an idea, plan, etc) excessively
Derived Forms
overelaboration, nounCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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