overflow

[verb oh-ver-floh; noun oh-ver-floh]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR overflow ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), o·ver·flowed, o·ver·flown, o·ver·flow·ing.

to flow or run over, as rivers or water: After the thaw, the river overflows and causes great damage.

to have the contents flowing over or spilling, as an overfull container: Stop pouring or your glass is going to overflow.

to pass from one place or part to another as if flowing from an overfull space: The population overflowed into the adjoining territory.

to be filled or supplied with in great measure: a heart overflowing with gratitude; a region overflowing with orchards and vineyards.

verb (used with object), o·ver·flowed, o·ver·flown, o·ver·flow·ing.

to flow over; flood; inundate: The river overflowed several farms.

to flow over or beyond (the brim, banks, borders, etc.).

to cause to overflow.

to flow over the edge or brim of (a receptacle, container, etc.).

to fill to the point of running over.

noun

an overflowing: the annual overflow of the Nile.

something that flows or runs over: to carry off the overflow from a fountain.

a portion crowded out of an overfilled place: to house the overflow of the museum's collection in another building.

an excess or superabundance: an overflow of applicants for the job.

an outlet or receptacle for excess liquid: The tank is equipped with an overflow.

Nearby words

Origin of overflow

before 900; Middle English overflowen, Old English oferflōwan. See over-, flow

SYNONYMS FOR overflow

13. overabundance, surplus, plethora, flood, glut.

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Related formso·ver·flow·a·ble, adjectiveo·ver·flow·ing·ly, adverbun·o·ver·flow·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for overflowing

However, I believe that our society is overflowing with lethal weapons and that we must take action to prevent more dead kids.
A Navy Vet’s Case for Gun Control|Shawn VanDiver|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Soon his coffers were overflowing with revenue from rubber, palm oil, and ivory.
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Brash, crass, and overflowing with wiseass attitude, he remains the ultimate postmodern superhero.
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It would appear that when it came to the bottom line, Washington was not overflowing with sympathy.
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Even though there is a threadbare concession stand, overflowing picnic baskets abound.
Native American Basketball Team in Wyoming Have Hoop Dreams Of Their Own|Robert Silverman|August 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
You are overflowing with repressed energy, Marjorie, Mrs. Dean said, looking a trifle anxious.
Marjorie Dean College Freshman|Pauline Lester
The drinking-saloons were full to overflowing; the side-walks thronged with reeling groups as the day advanced.
Macaria|Augusta Jane Evans Wilson
This Act alone filled the prisons, which were then most dreadful dungeons, to overflowing.
A Child's History of England|Charles Dickens
I longed for the love which had before filled it to overflowing.
The Works of Edgar Allan Poe|Edgar Allan Poe
Like ourselves, they are full and overflowing with general ideas, Parisians uneasy and curious.
A Tour Through The Pyrenees|Hippolyte Adolphe Taine

British Dictionary definitions for overflowing

overflow

verb (ˌəʊvəˈfləʊ) -flows or -flowing or -flowed or formerly -flown

to flow or run over (a limit, brim, bank, etc)

to fill or be filled beyond capacity so as to spill or run over

(intr usually foll by with) to be filled with happiness, tears, etc

(tr) to spread or cover over; flood or inundate

noun (ˈəʊvəˌfləʊ)

overflowing matter, esp liquid

any outlet that enables surplus liquid to be discharged or drained off, esp one just below the top of a tank or cistern

the amount by which a limit, capacity, etc, is exceeded

computing a condition that occurs when numeric operations produce results too large to store in the memory space assigned to it

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

Word Origin and History for overflowing

overflow

Old English oferfleow "to flow across, flood, inundate," also "to flow over (a brim or bank);" see over- + flow (v.). Related: Overflowed; overflowing.

overflow

1580s, "act of overflowing," from overflow (v.).

overflow

verb (used without object), o·ver·flowed, o·ver·flown, o·ver·flow·ing.

verb (used with object), o·ver·flowed, o·ver·flown, o·ver·flow·ing.

noun

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Origin of overflow

Examples from the Web for overflowing

overflow

verb (ˌəʊvəˈfləʊ) -flows or -flowing or -flowed or formerly -flown

noun (ˈəʊvəˌfləʊ)

overflow

overflow