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Overdone Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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overdone

[หŒoสŠvษ™rหˆdสŒn ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

cooking

Cooked for too long or to too high a degree.

Synonyms

burnt, charred, overcooked.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
overdone

Used when something, especially food, is cooked longer than the ideal time making it less enjoyable, but not necessarily burnt.

  • The roast was tasty but a bit overdone.
  • The steak is a little overdone for my liking.
overcooked

General term used when food is cooked too long, affecting its texture and flavor, typically implying a less desirable outcome but not necessarily burnt.

  • The pasta turned out overcooked and mushy.
  • The chicken is overcooked and dry.
burnt

Refers to food or other items that have been cooked for too long, resulting in a blackened surface and a bitter taste. This often has a negative connotation.

  • The toast is burnt; you shouldn't eat it.
  • I forgot the cookies in the oven, and now they're burnt.
charred

Describes food or objects that have been burned to the point that they are blackened on the surface, often indicating severe overcooking but can be desirable in certain dishes, like charred vegetables.

  • The outside of the steak was charred, giving it a smoky flavor.
  • The fire left the edges of the paper charred and brittle.

Examples of usage

  • The steak was overdone and tough to chew.
  • The cookies were overdone and burnt on the edges.
Context #2 | Verb

task

Carried to excess; exaggerated.

Synonyms

exaggerate, overemphasize, overstate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
overdone

Typically used to describe something that has been done too much or excessively, especially in cooking or in describing performances or elements that are overly dramatic or exaggerated.

  • The steak was overdone, and it was hard to chew.
  • The makeup for the play was so overdone; it became distracting.
exaggerate

Often employed when someone describes something as being larger, greater, better, or worse than it really is. This word can be used in both casual and formal settings.

  • He tends to exaggerate his accomplishments to impress others.
  • You shouldn't exaggerate the risks involved; they are quite manageable.
overstate

Appropriate for describing a situation where something is presented as more important, significant, or serious than it actually is. Commonly used in formal writing and speech.

  • To say that he is the best player ever is to overstate his abilities.
  • The company's financial risks are sometimes overstated by the media.
overemphasize

Used when someone gives too much importance or attention to one aspect of something, often at the expense of other, equally important aspects. Typically found in discussions, critiques, and analyses.

  • The media tends to overemphasize negative news.

Examples of usage

  • She overdone her explanation and lost the interest of her audience.
  • He tends to overdo things and ends up causing more harm than good.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Literature

  • In Shakespeare's time, the term was often associated with melodramatic performances that overshadowed the plot.
  • Many writers emphasize the need for subtlety to avoid work that feels overdone, leading to clearer communication and stronger narratives.
  • Contemporary narratives often explore characters who 'overdo' their emotions or actions as a way to highlight their flaws.

Psychology

  • Overdoing can lead to burnout, where individuals exhaust their emotional or physical resources by trying too hard.
  • Perfectionism is often linked to the tendency to overdo tasks, which can create anxiety and stress.
  • The phenomenon known as the 'explore-exploit trade-off' suggests that sometimes trying too hard can prevent discovering better options.

Culinary Arts

  • When cooking, overdone dishes can lose their flavor and texture, emphasizing the balance needed in food preparation.
  • Overcooking meat can lead to dryness and toughness, illustrating the importance of timing in culinary practices.
  • Culinary critics often highlight dishes as 'overdone' when theyโ€™re excessively seasoned or layered with unnecessary ingredients.

Pop Culture

  • In film and TV, scenes that are overdone can lead to negative reviews, affecting the overall audience experience.
  • Social media trends may become overdone when they are repeated excessively, causing viewers to lose interest quickly.
  • Fashion trends that are overdone often swing back to simplicity as a backlash, reflecting changing audience preferences.

Origin of 'overdone'

Main points about word origin

  • The word combines 'over,' meaning too much, and 'done,' suggesting completion, indicating something has gone beyond what's normal.
  • The term has been in use since the late 19th century, reflecting a shift in language to describe excess.
  • In theater, the word came to signify performances that exaggerated more than necessary, leading to poor reception.

The word 'overdone' originated from the combination of 'over' and 'done', indicating that something has been done excessively or to an extreme degree. The term has been used in various contexts, from cooking to describing exaggerated actions or behaviors. Its usage dates back to the late 19th century, evolving to encompass a range of meanings related to excessiveness.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,787, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.