Overdressing: meaning, definitions and examples

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overdressing

 

[ ˌoʊvərˈdrɛsɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

clothing choice

Overdressing refers to the act of wearing clothes that are considered too formal or elaborate for a particular occasion. This can lead to feelings of discomfort or self-consciousness if one stands out inappropriately. It often occurs when individuals misjudge the dress code of an event.

Synonyms

overattired, overdressed, overly dressed, too formal

Examples of usage

  • She felt out of place after overdressing for the casual dinner.
  • Many attendees overdressed for the beach party, wearing evening gowns and suits.
  • He avoided overdressing for the picnic by opting for shorts and a t-shirt.

Translations

Translations of the word "overdressing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 exagerar na roupa

🇮🇳 अधिक कपड़े पहनना

🇩🇪 überkleiden

🇮🇩 terlalu berpakaian

🇺🇦 перебір з одягом

🇵🇱 przebieranie

🇯🇵 着飾りすぎる

🇫🇷 s'habiller trop

🇪🇸 vestirse demasiado

🇹🇷 fazla giyinmek

🇰🇷 너무 차려입다

🇸🇦 الإفراط في ارتداء الملابس

🇨🇿 přehnaně se oblékat

🇸🇰 príliš sa obliekať

🇨🇳 穿着过度

🇸🇮 preveč oblečen

🇮🇸 ofurklæða

🇰🇿 артық киіну

🇬🇪 მეტისმეტად ჩაცმა

🇦🇿 həddindən artıq geyinmək

🇲🇽 vestirse demasiado

Word origin

The term 'overdressing' combines the prefix 'over-', meaning excessive, with the word 'dress', originating from the Middle English 'dressen', which meant to put on clothes and later evolved into the modern concept of dressing oneself. The notion of overdressing emerged as social norms and occasions for dressing have become more diversified over time. Originally, dressing was primarily functional and style-oriented, but as society evolved into more nuanced social settings, the concept of appropriate versus excessive dressing started to gain prominence. In contemporary contexts, overdressing often raises discussions around fashion etiquette and self-expression. The increasing complexity of social events, where the expected attire can vary significantly, has magnified the potential for overdressing scenarios.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #42,598, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.