Advertisement - Continue reading below

Definition of "overwork" []

  • To force to work too hard or too long. (verb-transitive)
  • To rework to excess: overwork a speech. (verb-transitive)
  • To use too often: "'Vulnerable' and 'volatile' were the most overworked adjectives of the '70s” ( David Ansen). (verb-transitive)
  • To decorate the entire surface of. (verb-transitive)
  • To work too long or too hard. (verb-intransitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "overwork" in a sentence
  • "According to information, because of long-term overwork, vice mayor Wang Lijun is highly stressed and in poor health."
  • "Remove Man from the scene, and the root cause of hunger and overwork is abolished for ever."
  • "It’s also likely false, as overwork is a regular problem for TAs."