overdress
1 of 2verb
over·dress ˌō-vər-ˈdres 
overdressed; overdressing; overdresses
transitive verb
: to dress or adorn to excess
felt overdressed for the occasion in his tuxedo
intransitive verb
: to dress oneself to excess
it's better to overdress for the party than be too casual
overdress
2 of 2noun
over·dress ˈō-vər-ˌdres
: a dress worn over another
Example Sentences
Verb He overdressed for such a casual party.
Recent Examples on the Web
Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 23 Mar. 2021 While the movie is set in the 1940s, the tendency to overdress one’s children for cold weather is a timeless tradition. Fiorella Valdesolo, WSJ, 29 Oct. 2020 Hippos pile into a house—overdressed, with a guest, in a sack, through the back. Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2019 In a post-street-style world, being overdressed is no longer considered a faux-pas—whether that translates to formal pajamas for brunch, daytime tulle, or yes, bedazzled stilettos with jeans just because. Ana Colon, Glamour, 30 Aug. 2018 They were overdressed — Higginbottom in his suspenders and Wright in red gladiator sandals — and uncomfortable. Vanessa Gregory, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2018 Rules:My mother always says you can't be overdressed just underdressed. Allison Carey, cleveland.com, 15 June 2017 WASHINGTON — Senator Bob Casey was overdressed for the resistance. Matt Flegenheimer, New York Times, 19 May 2017 Could Drake be accused of being overdressed for the first-ever awards dedicated to pro ball? Liza Corsillo, GQ, 28 June 2017 Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, 28 Dec. 2017 See More
Verb
Our biggest challenge was learning not to overdress on our inner layer. Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 23 Mar. 2021 While the movie is set in the 1940s, the tendency to overdress one’s children for cold weather is a timeless tradition. Fiorella Valdesolo, WSJ, 29 Oct. 2020 Hippos pile into a house—overdressed, with a guest, in a sack, through the back. Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2019 In a post-street-style world, being overdressed is no longer considered a faux-pas—whether that translates to formal pajamas for brunch, daytime tulle, or yes, bedazzled stilettos with jeans just because. Ana Colon, Glamour, 30 Aug. 2018 They were overdressed — Higginbottom in his suspenders and Wright in red gladiator sandals — and uncomfortable. Vanessa Gregory, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2018 Rules:My mother always says you can't be overdressed just underdressed. Allison Carey, cleveland.com, 15 June 2017 WASHINGTON — Senator Bob Casey was overdressed for the resistance. Matt Flegenheimer, New York Times, 19 May 2017 Could Drake be accused of being overdressed for the first-ever awards dedicated to pro ball? Liza Corsillo, GQ, 28 June 2017 Noun
All three were bogged down by degrees of overdress. Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, 28 Dec. 2017 See More Word History
First Known Use
Verb
1704, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Noun
1812, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
overdress
verb
over·dress ˌō-vər-ˈdres
overdressed; overdressing
: to dress in clothes too fancy for an occasion
overdresses 1 of 2
noun
as in granny dresses
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- granny dresses
- tea gowns
- coatdresses
- sweaterdresses
- kirtles
- sheaths
- shirtdresses
- shirtwaists
- kimonos
- minidresses
- jumpers
- housedresses
- shifts
- sundresses
- Mother Hubbards
- chemises
- muumuus
- sacks
- gowns
- frocks
- dresses
overdresses
2 of 2verb
as in rigs
Synonyms & Similar Words
- rigs
- clothes
- bedizens
- uniforms
- dolls up
- robes
- tricks
- suits
- arrays
- attires
- garbs
- apparels
- bedecks
- caparisons
- dresses
- bundles up
- slips (on or into)
- dons
- throws (on)
- puts on
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- takes off
- removes
- doffs
- strips
- undresses
- disrobes