Overlight: meaning, definitions and examples

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overlight

 

[ ˈoʊvərlaɪt ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

artistic expression

To overlight something means to illuminate it excessively, often in artistic or design contexts. This can refer to adding too much light in a visual presentation, making it hard to see details clearly. It can also imply overwhelming a subject with bright lighting in photography or stage design.

Synonyms

floodlight, illuminate excessively, overexpose

Examples of usage

  • They decided to overlight the stage for a more dramatic effect.
  • The photographer was criticized for overlighting the portrait.
  • In the painting, the artist chose to overlight the central figure.
  • It's easy to overlight a landscape and lose its natural beauty.

Translations

Translations of the word "overlight" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sobreposição

🇮🇳 ओवरलाइट

🇩🇪 Überlicht

🇮🇩 cahaya tambahan

🇺🇦 надсвітло

🇵🇱 nadświetlenie

🇯🇵 オーバーライト

🇫🇷 suréclairage

🇪🇸 sobreiluminación

🇹🇷 aşırı aydınlatma

🇰🇷 오버라이트

🇸🇦 إضاءة زائدة

🇨🇿 přesvětlení

🇸🇰 prezvietenie

🇨🇳 过度照明

🇸🇮 preosvetlitev

🇮🇸 yfirljós

🇰🇿 артық жарық

🇬🇪 ზედმეტი სინათლე

🇦🇿 artıq işıq

🇲🇽 sobreiluminación

Etymology

The term 'overlight' likely derives from the combination of the prefix 'over-', meaning excessively or too much, and the word 'light', which originates from the Old English 'leoht', meaning light, brightness, or illumination. The use of the prefix 'over-' emphasizes the excessive nature of the action being described, which in this case refers to light. The concept of illuminating something has been present in language for centuries, given the importance of light in communication, art, and design. Over time, as lighting technology advanced, particularly in photography and stage production, the need for specific terminology to discuss the nuances of lighting became relevant, leading to the usage of terms like 'overlight' in contemporary art and design discussions.