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Overpaid Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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overpaid

[ˌoʊvərˈpeɪd ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

payment amount

Overpaid refers to receiving more money than is considered fair or reasonable for a service or job. It often implies that the financial compensation exceeds the value of the work performed.

Synonyms

excessively compensated, overcompensated, paid too much.

Examples of usage

  • She felt overpaid for the simple tasks she completed.
  • Many employees believe they are overpaid relative to their responsibilities.
  • The contractor was overpaid for the construction project.
  • He stressed that some executives are overpaid compared to their workers.
  • Rising complaints suggest that workers feel overpaid bonuses are unjustified.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Economics

  • Economic theories often discuss wage determination, proposing that overpayment may lead to inefficiencies in the workplace.
  • In some industries, overpayment can contribute to employee dissatisfaction among peers who earn less for similar work.

Pop Culture

  • Overpaid athletes and celebrities often spark debates in media, with critics arguing about fairness in their salaries.
  • Various films and shows use the concept of overpayment as a comedic plot device, illustrating outlandish salaries versus job performance.

Psychology

  • Studies in organizational behavior suggest that overpaid employees may be less motivated to work hard, believing their high salary compensates for lower effort.
  • Overpayment can lead to a psychological phenomenon known as 'cognitive dissonance', where employees justify their high salary despite minimal effort.

Workplace Dynamics

  • In a workplace, overpayment may lead to tension, as it can create feelings of unfairness among less-paid employees.
  • Organizations often evaluate salary structures to prevent overpayment and encourage fairness and motivation among workers.

Origin of 'overpaid'

Main points about word origin

  • The term combines 'over,' meaning too much, and 'paid,' which refers to money received for work.
  • The word found usage in English as far back as the early 20th century, reflecting concerns over fair wages.

The term 'overpaid' is a compound word formed from 'over' and 'paid'. 'Over' originates from Old English 'ofer', meaning 'above' or 'too much'. 'Paid' is derived from the Old French 'paier', which comes from Latin 'pacare', meaning 'to pacify' or 'to pay'. The combination signifies an amount of payment that exceeds a normal or reasonable limit. The term has been in usage since at least the late 20th century, reflecting increasing discussions about wage disparities and executive compensation.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,044, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.