Overabundant Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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overabundant

[หŒoสŠvษ™rษ™หˆbสŒndษ™nt ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

in nature

Present in large quantities; excessively abundant.

Synonyms

excessive, exorbitant, superfluous, surplus.

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Word Description / Examples
overabundant

Describes something that exists in greater quantities than required, often to the point of wastefulness. It has a mild negative connotation.

  • The garden produced an overabundant supply of tomatoes this year. They couldn't use them all.
excessive

Refers to an amount or degree that goes beyond what is reasonable, normal, or acceptable. It is often used to criticize or highlight a problem.

  • The boss has an excessive workload recently. He works late every night.
  • Consuming an excessive amount of sugar can lead to health problems.
superfluous

Describes something that is more than what is necessary or useful. Often implies that this excess is not needed and could be omitted.

  • She made several superfluous comments during the meeting that didn't add anything relevant.
  • Most of the details in the report were superfluous and could have been left out.
surplus

Specifically refers to an amount of something that is more than needed, often in a neutral or positive context where the extra can be beneficial.

  • The company had a surplus of funds this quarter that will be invested in new projects.
  • Farmers sell their surplus produce at the market.
exorbitant

Used to describe prices or costs that are extremely high and unreasonable. It carries a strong negative tone.

  • The hotel charged an exorbitant fee for a night's stay.
  • The price of the car was exorbitant, far more than it was worth.

Examples of usage

  • There is an overabundant supply of food in the forest.
  • The overabundant vegetation in the area provides a lush environment for wildlife.
  • The overabundant rainfall led to flooding in the region.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Environmental Science

  • In ecosystems, an overabundant population of a species can lead to imbalances and affect other species.
  • Nutrient overabundance in water bodies can cause algal blooms, which can harm aquatic life.
  • Management of overabundant wildlife (like deer) becomes essential to maintain biodiversity.

Economics

  • Overabundance in a market can lead to diminished value of products, influencing supply and demand.
  • An overabundant workforce can drive down wages and create competitive job seeking.
  • In agricultural economies, overproduction can lead to market crashes and food waste challenges.

Education

  • Overabundance of information can overwhelm students, making it harder for them to learn effectively.
  • Educators emphasize balanced information delivery to prevent cognitive overload in classrooms.
  • Curriculum developers must manage content to avoid overabundant resource lists, which can confuse learners.

Cultural References

  • In idiomatic expressions, phrases like 'too much of a good thing' capture the essence of being overabundant.
  • Festivals often celebrate overabundance, showcasing the harvest and community sharing.
  • Literature often explores themes of overabundance and its consequences, reflecting societal values.

Origin of 'overabundant'

Main points about word origin

  • The prefix 'over-' comes from Old English, meaning 'excessively' or 'more than'.
  • The root 'abundant' derives from the Latin word 'abundans', which means 'overflowing' or 'full'.
  • The combination of both parts suggests an extreme degree of abundance.

The word 'overabundant' is derived from the prefix 'over-' meaning excess or beyond, and 'abundant' meaning plentiful. The combination of these two elements creates a word that describes something as excessively abundant or present in large quantities. The term has been used in English language since the mid-19th century.


See also: abundantly.