Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Overrated Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ‘Ž
Add to dictionary

overrated

[หŒoสŠvษ™หˆreษชtษชd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

in general

Having a higher opinion of something than is deserved.

Synonyms

overestimated, overhyped, overvalued.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
overrated

This word is repeated, perhaps you meant another word. Please specify if so.
overvalued

Used in financial or economic contexts to describe assets, investments, or markets that are priced higher than their actual worth.

  • The stock appears to be overvalued given the company's poor performance
  • Many economists believe the housing market is currently overvalued
overestimated

Applied when someone has made a judgment or calculation that is too high or optimistic, often used in the context of skills, abilities, or numerical data.

  • I think he overestimated his ability to finish the project on time
  • The sales team overestimated the demand for the new product
overhyped

Used to indicate that something has received too much publicity and praise, often related to new products, events, or trends. The term can have a negative connotation.

  • The new smartphone was overhyped and didn't have any groundbreaking features
  • That concert was overhyped; it wasn't as good as everyone said

Examples of usage

  • He is a good player, but I think he is overrated.
  • The movie was overrated by the critics.
Context #2 | Adjective

in specific situation

Considered to be better or more important than it really is in a particular situation.

Synonyms

overappreciated, overpraised.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
overrated

Use this when you think something is not as good as people say it is. It often implies disappointment after high expectations.

  • The new movie was overrated
  • Everyone talked about it, but it wasn't that great
overpraised

It is used when too much praise is given to something or someone. Often, it implies that the praise is not justified.

  • The student's artwork was overpraised; it was good but not exceptional
overappreciated

This is used when something gets more appreciation than it actually deserves. It implies that the level of appreciation is too high.

  • The manager thought the employee was overappreciated; their contributions were not that significant

Examples of usage

  • I find this restaurant overrated, the food is not as good as they say.
  • The hotel was overrated for the price we paid.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Cognitive biases can lead people to overvalue popular trends, such as bandwagon effect where individuals adopt beliefs because many others hold them.
  • The Dunning-Kruger effect can cause individuals to overrate their own preferences or skills without realizing their shortcomings.
  • Social identity can influence personal ratings; certain movies or music may be thought 'better' simply due to cultural associations.

Pop Culture

  • Many films are labeled as overrated despite huge box office success, often sparking heated debates among fans and critics.
  • Celebrity culture frequently faces overrated debates, questioning why certain stars receive more attention than others with equal or better talent.
  • Social media plays a key role in shaping perceptions, where various trends and ideas can rapidly be labeled as overrated due to viral criticism.

Literature

  • Famous books sometimes earn the 'overrated' label despite classic status, leading to discussions on the discrepancy between literary appreciations.
  • In literary criticism, this term is often used to challenge the value placed on canonical works that may not resonate with contemporary readers.
  • Different literary movements have been deemed overrated when they fail to align with modern reader preferences, igniting discussions on taste.

Origin of 'overrated'

Main points about word origin

  • The word combines 'over-', meaning excessively, with 'rated', which comes from the Old French 'rater' meaning to assess or evaluate.
  • First recorded use was in the early 1970s, often used in literary and pop culture critiques.
  • In some contexts, 'overrated' reflects societal trends on popularity versus quality.

The term 'overrated' originated in the early 19th century, combining the prefix 'over-' meaning 'excessive' with the word 'rated' meaning 'evaluated or judged'. It is often used in various contexts to express a critical opinion about something that is considered to be highly valued or praised, but the actual worth or quality falls short of expectations.

See also: berate, overrate, rate, rated, rates, rating, ratings, underrate, underrated, underrating.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,049, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.