verb
overthink
verb
1
To think about something for too long or too hard, often making a simple decision harder than it needs to be.
"Don't overthink it — just send the email."
"She overthought every word of her text message."
How to Use Overthink
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo worry over a decision or problem far more than is useful.
Memory tip
Often used as advice: "don't overthink it," meaning trust your first instinct.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
tend to overthink
overthink things
overthink a decision
Word Forms
overthought past tense, overthought past tense, overthinks singular, overthinks singular
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “overthink”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
Don't _____ it — just send the email.
Etymology
From Old English oferþenċan, "to think over, consider," built from over- + think.