overly

Everyday

Overly means too much, more than needed. tree →

In the lessons

Used in everyday and school talk, often with «not»: «not overly keen» means not very keen (a polite, understated way of speaking).

Examples

• Don't be overly worried about the test. tree →
• The film was overly long. tree →
• I'm not overly fond of broccoli. tree →
• She was overly polite to the visitors. tree →
• The rules seemed overly strict. tree →
• He was overly careful with the eggs. tree →

Note

Used before an adjective: overly long, overly careful. «Not overly» is a gentle way of saying «not very». More common in US English; in the UK people also say «too» or «over-».

In Jewish tradition

Used in everyday and school talk, often with «not»: «not overly keen» means not very keen (a polite, understated way of speaking).

Examples

• The appearance of this root in the SY’s introductory paragraph serves as a reminder that although we embark upon a text rich in vivid, grounded symbolism—even anthropomorphism—we should not hasten to take such symbolic language overly literally. (Sefer Yetzirah, Sefaria community translation) tree →

Note

Used before an adjective: overly long, overly careful. «Not overly» is a gentle way of saying «not very». More common in US English; in the UK people also say «too» or «over-».