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Overfeed: meaning, definitions and examples

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overfeed

 

[ ˌoʊvərˈfiːd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

feeding too much

To overfeed means to provide more food to someone or something than is necessary or healthy. This term is often used in the context of feeding pets or animals, where excessive amounts of food can lead to health problems such as obesity. Overfeeding can also apply to humans, where it describes the act of consuming more calories than the body requires. The consequences of overfeeding can include a range of health issues, including digestive problems and increased risk of chronic diseases.

Synonyms

overconsume, overindulge, satiate, stuff

Examples of usage

  • Do not overfeed the dog.
  • Overfeeding can cause obesity in pets.
  • I tend to overfeed my plants with fertilizer.
  • Parents should avoid overfeeding their children.

Translations

Translations of the word "overfeed" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sobrealimentar

🇮🇳 अधिक खिलाना

🇩🇪 überfüttern

🇮🇩 memberi makan berlebihan

🇺🇦 перегодовувати

🇵🇱 przejedzenie

🇯🇵 過剰に餌を与える

🇫🇷 suralimenter

🇪🇸 sobrealimentar

🇹🇷 aşırı beslemek

🇰🇷 과식시키다

🇸🇦 إطعام مفرط

🇨🇿 přeživit

🇸🇰 prekrmovať

🇨🇳 过量喂养

🇸🇮 prehranjevati

🇮🇸 ofurmatur

🇰🇿 артық тамақтандыру

🇬🇪 მეტისმეტად კვება

🇦🇿 artıq qidalandırmaq

🇲🇽 sobrealimentar

Word origin

The term 'overfeed' is a compound word formed by the prefix 'over-' and the verb 'feed'. The prefix 'over-' comes from Old English 'ofer', meaning 'above' or 'beyond'. It denotes excess or too much of something. The word 'feed' originates from the Old English 'fedan', which means 'to nourish'. The combination of these elements highlights the act of providing excess nourishment, either for animals or humans. Over time, the term has gained relevance in discussions surrounding nutrition and health, as awareness of issues like obesity has increased. The modern usage of 'overfeed' reflects concerns about dietary habits in both pets and humans, emphasizing the importance of moderation in feeding practices.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,312, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.