overachieve

[ oh-ver-uh-cheev ]

verb (used without object),o·ver·a·chieved, o·ver·a·chiev·ing.
  1. to perform better or achieve more than people are generally expected to, often because of high ambition, pressure from family, etc.

  2. to perform, especially academically, above the potential indicated by tests of one's mental ability or aptitude.

Origin of overachieve

1
1950–55; over- + achieve, or by back formation from overachiever
  • Also o·ver-a·chieve .

Other words from overachieve

  • o·ver·a·chieve·ment, noun
  • o·ver·a·chiev·er, noun

Words Nearby overachieve

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use overachieve in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for overachieve

overachieve

/ (ˌəʊvərəˈtʃiːv) /


verb
  1. (intr) to perform (for example, in examinations) better than would be expected on the basis of one's age or talents

Derived forms of overachieve

  • overachiever, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012