spillover
/ˈspɪləʊvə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈspɪləʊvər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈspil-ˌō-vər/ (ame, mw)
spillover — noun
- spilloversingular
- spilloversplural
1. consequences of one event or activity that reach situations, groups, or places n
consequences of one event or activity that reach situations, groups, or places not originally involved, often unintentionally
Economists worried about the spillover from the banking crisis into ordinary consumer markets.
spillover from X into Y for cross-sector consequences
Teachers noticed a spillover effect when Theo's anxiety at home affected his classroom behaviour.
collocation: spillover effect
The factory closure caused painful spillovers across small shops in the surrounding town.
Researchers measured the spillover of pollution from busy highways into nearby farms and rivers.
Hana studied the spillover from social media debates into real-world friendships among teenagers.
- knock-on effect
common in British journalism; emphasises a chain of consequences
- ripple effect
more vivid metaphor; suggests effects weakening as they spread outward
- fallout
stronger negative connotation; usually for damage or political fallout
- containment
the opposite action — keeping effects within their original area
文法句型
spillover from X (into Y)
spillover effect
用法筆記
Frequently followed by 'from [source domain] into/onto [affected domain]'. Often used in economics, politics, and public health writing to talk about unintended knock-on effects.
常見錯誤
2. people or things that move into a new place because the original one cannot hold
people or things that move into a new place because the original one cannot hold them all
Organisers opened a second hall to handle the spillover of fans wanting Kofi's autograph.
spillover of [people] for crowd overflow
The library built a small annex to house the spillover from its growing book collection.
spillover from [original location] for objects exceeding capacity
Cheaper neighbourhoods absorbed the spillover when Imani's rapidly growing city ran out of housing downtown.
Traffic engineers blamed the spillover from the closed expressway for long delays on side streets.
The clinic set up tents outside for the spillover of patients during the flu outbreak.
文法句型
spillover of X (into Y)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense names the people or items themselves that move; sense 1 names the consequences of an activity. Often appears after a verb of accommodation: 'handle', 'absorb', 'house', 'accommodate the spillover'.
3. the act of liquid escaping over the edge of a container, or the liquid itself on
the act of liquid escaping over the edge of a container, or the liquid itself once it has done so
Yara wiped up the spillover of coffee that had soaked through the morning newspaper.
spillover of [liquid] for the escaped liquid itself
Engineers designed the dam wall to catch any spillover during heavy spring rains.
A small tray under each pot prevents spillover when Linh waters the herbs.
The cook placed a wide dish under the kettle to catch spillover from boiling milk.
文法句型
spillover of X
a spillover from X
用法筆記
Less common than 'overflow' for everyday liquid scenes; learners may sound more natural saying 'overflow' or 'spill' in conversation. 'Spillover' fits engineering, agriculture, or formal writing.