overwork

Meaning

Verb

1. (transitive) To make (someone or something) work too hard.
2. (intransitive) To work too hard.
3. (transitive) To fill too full of work; to crowd with labour.
4. (transitive) To decorate all over.

Noun

1. (uncountable) A superstructure.
2. (uncountable) Excessive work.

Synonyms

strain

overexert

overworking

persist

exploit

harass

laborious

mental strain

overactivity

overcharge

overdo

overfatigue

overload

overstrain

wear

nervous strain

overexert oneself

cause to suffer

overtask

stress

bejewel

exhause

bind

charge

drive

encumbrance

Translations

surmenage

Überarbeitung

εργάζομαι υπερβολικά

superlavoro

Überanstrengung

surmenage

sich überarbeiten

lavorare troppo

exceso de trabajo

überstrapazieren

überanstrengen

surmener

treball excessiu

استكدد

كتدد

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˌəʊvəˈwɜːk/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: overwerken

Cognate with Dutch: overwerken

Inherited from Middle English: overwerc

Inherited from Old English: oferweorc

In summary

From Middle English overwerken, possibly from Old English oferwyrċan (“to overwork, overlay”), equivalent to over- + work. Cognate with Dutch overwerken (“to overwork”).