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overact

 - 3 dictionary results

o⋅ver⋅act

  [oh-ver-akt]
Use overact in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
to act in an exaggerated manner.
Origin:
1605–15; over- + act

Related forms:
o⋅ver⋅ac⋅tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To overact
o·ver·act   (ō'vər-ākt')   
v.   o·ver·act·ed, o·ver·act·ing, o·ver·acts

v.   tr.
To act (a dramatic role) with unnecessary exaggeration.
v.   intr.

  1. To exaggerate a role; overplay.

  2. To act over and above what is required; overdo in acting.

o'ver·ac'tion n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

overact 
1611, "to go too far in action," from over + act (q.v.). Meaning "to play a part with too much emphasis, to chew the scenery" is from 1631.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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