Overestimate: meaning, definitions and examples
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overestimate
[ˌoʊvərˈɛstɪˌmeɪt ]
Definitions
in decision making
To estimate or judge something as greater than it actually is.
Synonyms
exaggerate, inflate, overvalue.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| overestimate |
Used when someone makes a judgment or guess that is higher than the actual value or ability. Common in academic, professional, or everyday situations where accuracy is crucial.
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| exaggerate |
Used when describing something in a way that makes it seem more important or bigger than it actually is. Often used in storytelling or to emphasize a point and can sometimes have a negative connotation.
|
| inflate |
Used when increasing something beyond its true value or size, often by addition of something unnecessary or false. Commonly used in financial and economic contexts, or metaphorically in discussions about ego or importance.
|
| overvalue |
Used when assigning too much value to something, often in financial or personal judgment contexts. It has a practical, usually financial, connotation.
|
Examples of usage
- He tends to overestimate the time it takes to complete a project.
- Don't overestimate your abilities, be realistic.
in valuation
To put too high a value on something.
Synonyms
overprice, overrate, overvalue.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| overestimate |
Use when someone thinks something or someone is larger, better, or more important than it actually is.
|
| overrate |
Use when someone or something is considered better or more important than they really are. This often carries a negative connotation.
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| overvalue |
Use when something is given more value or importance than it's actually worth. This can be used in financial contexts or to describe personal judgments.
|
| overprice |
Use when the price set for a product or service is too high compared to its actual value.
|
Examples of usage
- Don't overestimate the worth of that old painting, it's not as valuable as you think.
- She tends to overestimate the cost of things when budgeting.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word 'overestimate' combines 'over,' meaning too much, and 'estimate,' which means to guess or judge something's value.
- It has been in use since the late 19th century, reflecting a growing awareness of the importance of accurate assessments.
- Similar terms exist in other languages, such as 'surestimer' in French, indicating a universal challenge of perception.
Psychology
- Cognitive biases can cause people to overestimate their knowledge or skills, leading to phenomena like the Dunning-Kruger effect.
- People are often more likely to overestimate dangers, such as fearing flying more than driving, despite statistics showing otherwise.
- Overconfidence can stem from past successes, where one assumes future outcomes will also be favorable.
Economics
- In financial forecasts, overestimation of company profits may lead to poor investment decisions.
- Economists often warn against overestimating growth rates, as it can result in policy missteps.
- Market analysts may overestimate a product's success due to optimism bias, influencing stock prices dramatically.
Education
- Students often overestimate their abilities to complete tasks, affecting their study habits and grades.
- Teachers might overestimate the impact of certain teaching methods based on early positive feedback.
- Test scores can sometimes lead to overestimation of a student’s overall understanding of a subject.
Pop Culture
- Movies frequently overestimate their expected box office success based on pre-release hype.
- Reality TV shows often manipulate situations, making events seem more dramatic than they truly are.
- Social media can cause overestimation of others' lifestyles due to curated and filtered content.
Translations
Translations of the word "overestimate" in other languages:
🇵🇹 superestimar
🇮🇳 अतिमूल्यांकन करना
🇩🇪 überschätzen
🇮🇩 melebih-lebihkan
🇺🇦 переоцінювати
🇵🇱 przeceniać
🇯🇵 過大評価する (かだいひょうかする)
🇫🇷 surestimer
🇪🇸 sobreestimar
🇹🇷 abartmak
🇰🇷 과대평가하다 (gwadaepyeong-gahada)
🇸🇦 يُبالِغ في التقدير
🇨🇿 přecenit
🇸🇰 preceniť
🇨🇳 高估 (gāo gū)
🇸🇮 preceniti
🇮🇸 ofmeta
🇰🇿 артық бағалау
🇬🇪 გადაჭარბებული შეფასება (gadacharbebuli shefaseba)
🇦🇿 şişirtmək
🇲🇽 sobreestimar