overdress

[ verb oh-ver-dres; noun oh-ver-dres ]

verb (used with or without object)

, o·ver·dressed, o·ver·dress·ing.

1. to dress with too much display, finery, or formality:

   He certainly overdressed for the occasion.

2. to put excessive clothing on:

   She tends to overdress her children.

noun

1. a dress worn over another, which it covers either partially or completely.

overdress

verb

1. to dress (oneself or another) too elaborately or finely

noun

1. a dress that may be worn over a jumper, blouse, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of overdress¹

First recorded in 1700–10; over- + dress

Example Sentences

SWEENEY: And it’s just like if she was in the bathhouse, she would just be wearing her overdress, her bathing dress, and no bra.

From Los Angeles Times

“Castelfranco tends to be less bitter and more tender than its fellow radicchios, so I try not to overdress it in a salad,” says Rand Rasheed, who grows it at One Leaf Farm.

From Seattle Times

“The sweetness means it can take an acid nicely,” notes the chef, who instructs his staff to slightly overdress Little Gems because he finds the “juiciness” of the leaves slightly dilutes the dressing.

From Washington Post

Still, it’s hard to resist the temptation to overdress.

From Slate

Overdress the pancake and crispness is lost, as is the point.

From New York Times