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overqualified

American  
[oh-ver-kwol-uh-fahyd] / ˈoʊ vərˈkwɒl əˌfaɪd /

adjective

  1. having more education, training, or experience than is required for a job or position.


overqualified British  
/ ˌəʊvəˈkwɒlɪˌfaɪd /

adjective

  1. having more managerial experience or academic qualifications than required for a particular job

"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

Etymology

Origin of overqualified

First recorded in 1950–55; over- + qualified

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.

James Van Der Beek has to miss the live ‘Dawson’s Creek’ reunion due to illness but says a ‘ridiculously overqualified’ understudy will fill in: Lin-Manuel Miranda.

From Los Angeles Times

Gen Z women participate in the workforce at higher rates than their male counterparts, and often accept jobs they’re overqualified for rather than not working.

From Salon

She got the hiring manager on board by stressing that this seemingly overqualified candidate was new to developing mobile applications.

From The Wall Street Journal

This isn’t all about trying to appear younger, though it’s true that the “overqualified” label can be veiled age discrimination.

From The Wall Street Journal

If you’re convinced that being overqualified is the problem, consider ditching the one-line summary of every job you’ve ever had.

From The Wall Street Journal