overdress

1 of 2

verb

over·​dress ˌō-vər-ˈdres How to pronounce overdress (audio)
overdressed; overdressing; overdresses
Synonyms of overdressnext

transitive verb

: to dress or adorn to excess
felt overdressed for the occasion in his tuxedo

intransitive verb

: to dress oneself to excess
it's better to overdress for the party than be too casual

overdress

2 of 2

noun

over·​dress ˈō-vər-ˌdres How to pronounce overdress (audio)
: a dress worn over another

Examples of overdress in a Sentence

Verb He overdressed for such a casual party.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
On the other hand, this education leads some to overdress—that hyper-graphic maxi dress paired with a neon pink beret is going to clash with the more subdued, elegant looks that stylish Parisians tend to sport. — Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Aug. 2026 Don't overdress the bed with excess throw pillows and blankets. — Kristin Hohenadel, The Spruce, 29 June 2026 Southern women don’t strive to be subtle, because why not overdress, even to stay at home? — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026 Don’t overdress the salad; toss with about a third of the dressing, then add more as needed and serve the rest on the side. — Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overdress

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1704, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

1812, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overdress was in 1704

Rhymes for overdress

See All Rhymes for overdress

Browse Nearby Words

overdrawn
overdress
overdrifted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overdress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overdress. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

overdress

1 of 2 verb
over·​dress ˌō-vər-ˈdres How to pronounce overdress (audio)
: to dress too formally or warmly for an occasion

overdress

2 of 2 noun
over·​dress ˈō-vər-ˌdres How to pronounce overdress (audio)
: a dress worn over another

More from Merriam-Webster on overdress

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for overdress

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