OVERBLOW Definition & Meaning

overblow

[ oh-ver-bloh ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

overblew, overblown, overblowing.

to give excessive importance or value to:
to overblow one's own writing.
to overinflate.
to blow over the surface of, as the wind, sand, or the like:
dead leaves overblowing the yard.
to blow (a wind instrument or an organ pipe) in such a way as to produce overtones.

verb (used without object)

overblew, overblown, overblowing.

to overblow a wind instrument.

overblow

/ ˌəʊ��əˈ��əʊ /

verb

music to blow into (a wind instrument) with greater force than normal in order to obtain a harmonic or overtone instead of the fundamental tone
to blow (a wind instrument) or (of a wind instrument) to be blown too hard
to blow over, away, or across

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of overblow¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; over-, blow ²

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

I’ve just always tried to be ethical and responsible and not overblow a situation or oversell a storm.

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There have been calls to abolish the idea of a journalistic “crime beat” altogether, since it tends to overblow how much violent crime is occurring and stigmatize communities of color.

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I don’t want to overblow this issue, though.

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But the overblow and waste has many analysts and public officials scratching their heads.

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The protesters claimed the dangers of the coronavirus and benefits of social distancing are overblow, despite scientific evidence to the contrary.

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