overflowing

overflowing — adjective

  • overflowingpositive
  • more overflowingcomparative
  • most overflowingsuperlative

1. filled so much that liquid or small things are about to come over the edge.

1.形容詞B2
釋義

filled so much that liquid or small things are about to come over the edge.

例句

Theo carried an overflowing bucket across the yard after the storm.

before noun: an overflowing bucket

By noon, the bathtub was overflowing onto the bathroom tiles.

after verb: be overflowing onto...

同義詞
  • brimming

    often suggests a smooth full surface, especially with cups or bowls

  • overfull

    states that there is too much inside, without always showing spilling

反義詞
  • empty

    having nothing inside

  • half-full

    containing some liquid but still far from the top

文法句型

an overflowing bucket

[container] is overflowing onto [surface]

用法筆記

Use this sense for liquid or loose contents near the edge. For crowded rooms or shelves, use sense 2 instead.

常見錯誤

❌The bucket was overflowing by water.
✅The bucket was overflowing with water.' or 'Water was overflowing from the bucket.
💡use 'with' for the contents and 'from' for the source.

2. so full of people or things that part of them cannot stay inside the space.

2.形容詞B2
釋義

so full of people or things that part of them cannot stay inside the space.

例句

The school gym was overflowing before the charity concert began.

crowded place: be overflowing

After harvest, Rachid's shed stood overflowing with sacks of rice.

be overflowing with [things]

同義詞
  • packed

    more general and very common for places with almost no free space

  • crowded

    can describe many people together, even when they are still inside the space

  • jammed

    more informal and often suggests movement is difficult

反義詞

文法句型

[place] is overflowing with [people/things]

[room] is overflowing

用法筆記

Usually used for rooms, buses, shelves, or other spaces that cannot hold everything inside them. Unlike sense 1, the focus is on the crowded place rather than on liquid near an edge.

常見錯誤

❌The hall was overflowing of people.
✅The hall was overflowing with people.
💡after this sense, use 'with' to name the people or things inside.

3. showing a very strong feeling or quality in an open and generous way.

3.形容詞C1
釋義

showing a very strong feeling or quality in an open and generous way.

例句

Noor gave an overflowing smile when Sami walked back safely.

emotion shown openly in a visible reaction

The letter was overflowing with thanks after neighbours fixed the roof.

overflowing with [emotion/quality]

同義詞
  • radiant

    often focuses on a happy expression that shows on the face

  • warm

    gentler and less intense, especially for kindness or welcome

  • effusive

    more formal and often used for very open praise or thanks

反義詞
  • cold

    showing little warmth or feeling

  • flat

    showing almost no feeling or energy

文法句型

overflowing with joy

overflowing with thanks

overflowing with warmth

用法筆記

Most often followed by 'with' plus an emotion or quality such as joy, pride, warmth, or thanks. Unlike sense 2, nothing is physically spilling out.

常見錯誤

❌Her note was overflowing by gratitude.
✅Her note was overflowing with gratitude.
💡use 'with' after this sense to name the feeling.