overdo

UK: /ˌəʊvə^rˈduː/ US: /ˌoʊvɚˈdu/ ,(ō′vər do̅o̅′)

Inflections of 'overdo' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

overdoes

v 3rd person singular

overdoing

v pres p

overdid

v past

overdone

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

o•ver•do /ˌoʊvɚˈdu/   v. [~ + object] , -did, -done, -do•ing. 

1. to do too much of or to;
   overindulge in;
   be extreme about:
   to overdo the charm with the boss.
2. to overact (a part);
   exaggerate.
3. [~ + it/things]
   • to strain (oneself);
     make too many demands on (one's physical strength):
     He overdid it with all those exercises.
   • to do (something) in an exaggerated or self-important way.
4. to cook too much;
   overcook:
   The meat had been overdone.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

o•ver•do  (ō′vər do̅o̅′), v., -did, -done, -do•ing. 
v.t. 

1. to do to excess;
   overindulge in:
   to overdo dieting.
2. to carry to excess or beyond the proper limit:
   He puts on so much charm that he overdoes it.
3. to overact (a part);
   exaggerate.
4. to overtax the strength of;
   fatigue;
   exhaust.
5. to cook too much or too long;
   overcook:
   Don't overdo the hamburgers.

v.i. 

6. to do too much;
   go to an extreme:
   Exercise is good but you mustn't overdo.

• Middle English overdon, Old English oferdōn. See over-, do¹ bef. 1000

o′ver•do′er, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

overdo / ˌəʊvəˈduː/ verb ( -does, -doing, -did, -done)(transitive)

1. to take or carry too far; do to excess
2. to exaggerate, overelaborate, or overplay
3. to cook or bake too long
4. overdo it, overdo things ⇒ to overtax one's strength, capacity, etc