overbrim
Definition
- Verb (transitive and intransitive):
- To cause to overflow: "overbrim" means to fill something so full that its contents spill over the edge.
- To overflow: "overbrim" also means to become so full that the contents spill over the edge.
Usage Examples
Transitive verb:
- She overbrimmed the cup with water, causing it to spill onto the table. (She filled the cup beyond its capacity, making the water overflow.)
Intransitive verb:
- The river overbrimmed its banks after the heavy rain. (The river overflowed beyond its normal boundaries.)
Advanced Usage
- "to overbrim with emotion": to be so full of a feeling that it cannot be contained.
- His heart overbrimmed with joy at the news. (He felt such intense joy that it seemed to spill out of him.)
Variants and Related Words
Overbrimming (adjective): overflowing or excessively full.
- The overbrimming bucket left a puddle on the floor. (The bucket was so full that its contents spilled out.)
Overbrimmed (past participle): having been filled to the point of overflowing.
- The overbrimmed glass was difficult to carry without spilling. (The glass was filled beyond its capacity.)
Synonyms
- Overflow: to flow over the brim or edge.
- Spill over: to flow out of a container due to being too full.
- Flood: to cover or fill with water or another substance in excess.
Related Idioms
To the brim: completely full (often used with "overbrim" to emphasize excess).
- The tank was filled to the brim, and then overbrimmed. (The tank was completely full and then overflowed.)
Brim over: to overflow with a substance or emotion.
- Her eyes brimmed over with tears. (Her eyes became so full of tears that they spilled out.)