OVERRATE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does overrate mean? 

• OVERRATE (verb)
  The verb OVERRATE has 1 sense:

1. make too high an estimate of

  Familiarity information: OVERRATE used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• OVERRATE (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they overrate    ... he / she / it overrates   
Past simple: overrated   
Past participle: overrated   
-ing form: overrating   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Make too high an estimate of

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Synonyms:

overestimate; overrate

Context example:

He overestimated his own powers

Hypernyms (to "overrate" is one way to...):

misjudge (judge incorrectly)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "overrate"):

overcapitalise; overcapitalize (overestimate the market value of)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

overrating (a calculation that results in an estimate that is too high)

 Context examples 

But I do not accept his estimate. He sadly overrates himself.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

It was his suggestion that I should come round to you, and of course I at once saw the propriety of it, for certainly the incident is a very singular one, though he appears to completely overrate its importance.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The expectations of his friend Morland, therefore, from the first overrated, had ever since his introduction to Isabella been gradually increasing; and by merely adding twice as much for the grandeur of the moment, by doubling what he chose to think the amount of Mr. Morland's preferment, trebling his private fortune, bestowing a rich aunt, and sinking half the children, he was able to represent the whole family to the general in a most respectable light.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

She had no hope, nothing to deserve the name of hope, that he could have that sort of affection for herself which was now in question; but there was a hope (at times a slight one, at times much stronger,) that Harriet might have deceived herself, and be overrating his regard for her.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

It is beyond price, which you will acknowledge is a terrific overrating, but which I cannot help, for it is the life that is in me that makes the rating.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

She had a great idea that people who had extensive grounds themselves cared very little for the extensive grounds of any body else; but it was not worth while to attack an error so double-dyed, and therefore only said in reply, When you have seen more of this country, I am afraid you will think you have overrated Hartfield.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)