overflow

verb

over·​flow ˌō-vər-ˈflō 

overflowed; overflowing; overflows

transitive verb

1

: to cover with or as if with water : inundate

2

: to flow over the brim of

3

: to cause to overflow

intransitive verb

1

: to flow over bounds

2

: to fill a space to capacity and spread beyond its limits

the crowd overflowed into the street

Synonyms of overflow

• flood
• spill
• overfill
• flush

Examples of overflow in a Sentence

The river overflowed its banks.

The creek overflows every spring.

The water in the tub overflowed.

Books and papers overflowed his desk.

The paragraph overflowed the page.

Recent Examples on the Web

Our deals page overflows with offers. —K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 8 June 2026

Don’t store items on top of the cabinets or allow the trash can or recycling bin to overflow. —Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 June 2026

Social feeds overflowed with videos of blue-and-orange revelry. —Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 8 June 2026

Twigs, leaves, feathers, and other nesting materials can block rainwater flow, causing gutters to overflow during storms. —Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 8 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for overflow

• afterglow
• akimbo
• albino
• aliquot
• allegro
• amigo
• apropos
• audio
• bungalow
• calico
• calypso
• cameo

Kids Definition

overflow

1 of 2 verb

over·​flow ˌō-vər-ˈflō 

1

: to cover with or as if with water : inundate

2

: to flow over the brim or top of

the river overflowed its banks

3

: to flow over bounds

the creek overflows every spring

4

: to fill a space up and spread beyond its limits

the paragraph overflowed the page

overflow

2 of 2 noun

over·​flow ˈō-vər-ˌflō 

1

: a flowing over : flood

2

: something that flows over : surplus

3

: an outlet or container for liquid that overflows

Medical Definition

overflow

noun

over·​flow ˈō-vər-ˌflō 

: an excessive flow or amount