overcook
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To do something to excess; to overdo; to ruin due to excessive effort.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
The runner overcooked it on the first lap, and ended up finishing last.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “overcook” mean?
To do something to excess; to overdo; to ruin due to excessive effort.
Is “overcook” formal or informal?
overcook is generally slang.