overfull

USAGE SUMMARY

"overfull" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is excessively full or overflowing. An example: "The overfull container spilled its contents onto the floor." Alternative expressions include "overflowing" and "overloaded."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

The average American's life is not overfull with gracefully sleek design, to say the least, and in many ways our standards of living have not improved upon that of our parents.

The Economist

More than 2,000 migrants are believed to have died in the past eight months while making the journey across the treacherous Mediterranean sea in overfull, unseaworthy boats operated by people smugglers, according to Doctors Without Borders.

Independent

My heart feels overfull, vulnerable, and part of me, nursing grief as a tribute, prefers it that way.

The New Yorker

And I was sort of heartened by the fact that it is a bit bulgy or overfull, while still being propulsive enough to drive the reader forward.

The New Yorker

If anything, the album may be a little overfull of wisdom, a little too insistent in its credibility.

The New Yorker

The policy agenda in Clinton's last State of Union, in January 2000, was not only full but overfull.

The New Yorker

Her room was piled with clothes, overfull ashtrays and trash.

The New Yorker

Her life was already overfull.

The New Yorker

It is way overfull.

The New Yorker

Survivors said the 56-year-old boat was listing to the left even at port, which Russian maritime experts said was possibly because a sewage tank was overfull.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

He says workers are often kept in bleak conditions, crowded into already-overfull houses, especially in the Sydney suburbs of Strathfield and Lidcombe.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "overfull", ensure the context clearly indicates what is exceeding its capacity, whether it's a physical container, a schedule, or an emotional state.

Common error

Avoid using "overfull" when simply "full" suffices. "Overfull" implies an excess beyond the normal capacity, not just a state of being completely filled.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "overfull" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate that something is filled beyond its capacity. Ludwig examples show it describing physical objects like "overfull boats" and abstract concepts like "overfull life".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

9%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "overfull" functions as an adjective that means excessively filled. Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically correct and commonly used. The phrase frequently appears in News & Media sources, signifying its general applicability and understandability. When using "overfull", make sure it fits the context and means something more than just full. Related terms include ""overflowing"" and ""brimming"". Finally, it's important to know that Ludwig offers several examples in reliable sources to show the multiple usages of "overfull".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Overflowing

Indicates a state of exceeding capacity, often resulting in spillage.

Brimming

Suggests being filled to the very top edge, ready to overflow.

Saturated

Implies being completely filled or soaked to the point of being unable to hold more.

Crowded

Describes a space or container filled with too many items or people.

Jam-packed

Emphasizes a state of being tightly filled, leaving little to no space.

Stuffed

Suggests being filled to capacity, often with a sense of being overly full.

Teeming

Indicates being filled with a large number of things or people, often moving or active.

Heaped

Describes something piled high, exceeding the normal level or capacity.

Replete

Suggests being fully or abundantly filled, often with food or satisfaction.

Congested

Describes a state of being blocked or overcrowded, often referring to traffic or passages.

FAQs

How is "overfull" used in a sentence?

You can use "overfull" to describe something that is excessively filled or overflowing. For example: "The "overfull container" spilled its contents onto the floor."

What can I say instead of "overfull"?

You can use alternatives like "overflowing", "brimming", or "saturated" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "overfull" versus "full"?

"Overfull" should be used when something exceeds its capacity. "Full" simply means that the capacity has been reached. For example, a cup can be full, but an "overfull" cup is spilling over.

Is "overfull" commonly used in formal writing?

Yes, "overfull" is appropriate in formal writing, particularly when describing a state of excess or overflowing. It is frequently found in news and media contexts.