WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
o•ver•es•ti•mate /v. ˌoʊvɚˈɛstəˌmeɪt; n. ˈoʊvɚˈɛstəmɪt/USA pronunciation
v., -mated, mat•ing, n.
v. [~ + object]
n. [countable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026v. [~ + object]
- to form a judgment or opinion about (the value or worth of someone or something) that is too high or good:We overestimated the cost of the dental treatment; to overestimate an employee's ability.
n. [countable]
- a judgment or guess about value, worth, cost, etc., that is too high or too great.
o•ver•es•ti•mate
(v. ō′vər es′tə māt′;n. ō′vər es′tə mit),USA pronunciation v., -mat•ed, -mat•ing, n.
v.t.
n.
o′ver•es′ti•ma′tion, n.
v.t.
- to estimate at too high a value, amount, rate, or the like:Don't overestimate the car's trade-in value.
- to hold in too great esteem or to expect too much from:Don't overestimate him--he's no smarter than you are.
n.
- an estimate that is too high.
- over- + estimate 1815–25