oversubscribe

1 of 2

verb

over·​sub·​scribe ˌō-vər-səb-ˈskrīb 

oversubscribed; oversubscribing; oversubscribes

transitive verb

: to subscribe for more of than is available

oversubscription

ˌō-vər-səb-ˈskrip-shən 

noun

oversubscription

2 of 2

noun

: the act or an instance of oversubscribing

oversubscriptions became the rule

—M. S. Kendrick

Examples of oversubscribe in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

But those programs are often oversubscribed, says Joel Viers, a housing rehabilitation specialist for Pima County. — Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 7 Sep. 2026

Ten Pillar Sports Fund, backed by UC Investments, led the Series C raise, which is oversubscribed, surpassing the league’s initial $100 million target. — Annie Costabile, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

The retail offering was oversubscribed 5,500 times, underscoring intense investor demand for the profitable company, which shipped 5,500 humanoids in 2025. — John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026

The share sale was priced at a 10% discount to attract buyers — unsurprisingly, it was oversubscribed. — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

from oversubscribe, after English subscribe : subscription

First Known Use

Verb

1891, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for oversubscribe

• ascribe
• describe
• imbibe
• inscribe
• prescribe
• proscribe
• subscribe
• transcribe
• bribe
• gibe
• jibe
• tribe

Kids Definition

oversubscribe

verb

over·​sub·​scribe -səb-ˈskrīb 

: to subscribe for more of than is available

oversubscribe a stock issue