oversubscribe

American  

[oh-ver-suhb-skrahyb] / ˌoʊ vər səbˈskraɪb /

verb (used with object)

oversubscribed, oversubscribing

1. to subscribe for more of than is available, expected, or required.

   The charity drive was oversubscribed by several thousand dollars.

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oversubscribe British  

/ ˌəʊvəsəbˈskraɪb /

verb

1. (tr; often passive) to subscribe or apply for in excess of available supply

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Other Word Forms

• oversubscriber noun
• oversubscription noun

Etymology

Origin of oversubscribe

First recorded in 1890–95; over- + subscribe

Example Sentences

The Breeders Cup Juvenile did not oversubscribe and Anneau D’Or is in the field.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 24, 2019

On this date in 1917, Pima County became the first county in the nation to oversubscribe its Liberty Bond allotment.

From Washington Times • Oct. 10, 2018

“Every year, in a matter of hours, we oversubscribe beyond the entire 85,000 slots plus,” Issa said.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 30, 2016

To their astonishment, British investors rushed in to oversubscribe the issue 60 times, thereby forcing a drawing to see who would actually get the coveted shares.

From Time Magazine Archive

Equity capital flowed in for the asking as eager Australian investors flocked to oversubscribe new stock issues.

From Time Magazine Archive