overstaff

verb

over·​staff ˌō-vər-ˈstaf How to pronounce overstaff (audio)
overstaffed; overstaffing

transitive + intransitive

: to supply (something, such as a business) with too many staff members
Flush with funding in the '60s, universities overstaffed their faculties.Scott Stossel
Don't overstaff, as attendees can get intimidated if they have to approach more than three staff.Tim Stuart-Harris
overstaffed adjective
a grossly overstaffed organization
overstaffing noun
Most of the overstaffing occurred outside teacher ranks. Danika Fears

Word History

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overstaff was in 1879

Dictionary Entries Near overstaff

Cite this Entry

“Overstaff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overstaff. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

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