overfill

Everyday

To overfill something is to put too much into it, so it is too full or spills over. tree →

In the lessons

In science and cooking it warns not to pour liquid above the line of a container. In maths, a container overfills when the amount poured is more than its capacity; the extra spills. In safety: do not overfill a kettle, a bath or a fuel tank. Phrase: «overfill the cup».

Examples

• Don't overfill the kettle. tree →
• He overfilled the glass and juice went everywhere. tree →
• If you overfill the measuring jug, read the line again. tree →
• The bath overfilled and flooded the floor. tree →
• Do not overfill your plate at the buffet. tree →
• She overfilled the balloon and it burst. tree →
• A jug holds 1 litre; if you pour in 1.3 litres, you overfill it by 0.3 litres. tree →
• Never overfill the car's fuel tank. tree →

Note

Regular verb; double l: overfilled. Opposite: underfill. In maths: amount spilled = amount poured − capacity (when the amount poured is bigger).