Overengineered: meaning, definitions and examples
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overengineered
[ ˌoʊvərˈɛnˌdʒɪnɪrd ]
design complexity
Overengineered refers to a product, process, or system that has been designed with excessive complexity or features beyond what is necessary for the intended function. It often implies that the design has been done in a way that makes it more complicated or costly than required, potentially leading to inefficiency and confusion.
Synonyms
excessively complex, overcomplicated, overdesigned
Examples of usage
- The software was overengineered, making it hard for users to understand.
- His overengineered approach to the project resulted in delays.
- They scrapped the overengineered model for a simpler version.
- The overengineered car had too many unnecessary features.
Translations
Translations of the word "overengineered" in other languages:
🇵🇹 superdimensionado
🇮🇳 अधिक जटिल
🇩🇪 überdimensioniert
🇮🇩 terlalu rumit
🇺🇦 надмірно спроектований
🇵🇱 przeinżynierowany
🇯🇵 過剰設計された
🇫🇷 surconçu
🇪🇸 sobredimensionado
🇹🇷 aşırı mühendislik
🇰🇷 과도한 설계
🇸🇦 مبالغ في تصميمه
🇨🇿 přeengineerovaný
🇸🇰 preengineerovaný
🇨🇳 过度设计
🇸🇮 prenapreden
🇮🇸 ofurmætt
🇰🇿 артық инжинирленген
🇬🇪 გადაჭარბებული ინჟინერობა
🇦🇿 həddindən artıq mühəndislik
🇲🇽 sobredimensionado
Etymology
The term 'overengineered' is a compound word formed from the prefix 'over-', indicating excess, and 'engineered,' which derives from the verb 'engineer.' The roots of 'engineer' trace back to the Latin 'ingeniator,' which means 'to create or devise' and is linked to the word 'ingenious,' referring to someone with creativity and inventiveness. The concept of overengineering began to gain traction in the late 20th century, particularly in fields such as software development and product design, where it became apparent that excessive features or complexity could hinder usability and efficiency. As industries evolved, particularly with the rise of technology and information systems, the notion that simplicity and functionality should guide design became a popular philosophy, contrasting sharply with the trend of overengineering that had been prevalent earlier. In essence, overengineering became a cautionary term, warning against the pitfalls of unnecessary complexity in design and development.