Overwhelmed
/ˌoʊvərˈwɛlmd/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo be burdened or overcome by something, such as a strong emotion, an excessive amount of work, or a physical force.
/ˌoʊvərˈwɛlm/
To be overcome or defeated completely; to flood, cover, or bury.
The small town was overwhelmed by the number of tourists.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're trying to carry a huge pile of books, and it's too much! You're overwhelmed, feeling like you can't handle it.
👶 For kids: When something is too much for you and you feel like you can't handle it, you're overwhelmed!
More Examples
She was overwhelmed by the amount of paperwork.
The team was overwhelmed by the opposing team's superior skill.
How It's Used
"The city was overwhelmed by the flood."
"She was overwhelmed with sadness after the loss."
Feeling very emotional or burdened by an excessive amount of something.
/ˌoʊvərˈwɛlmd/
Feeling unable to cope; experiencing strong emotions.
She felt overwhelmed by the amount of work.
💡 Simply: Imagine feeling like you have too much to do, like so many chores you don't know where to start. You're feeling overwhelmed!
👶 For kids: Feeling like you have too much to do or too many feelings at once.
More Examples
He was overwhelmed with emotion at the reunion.
The students were overwhelmed by the complexity of the subject.
How It's Used
"I felt overwhelmed by my responsibilities."
"The staff felt overwhelmed by the workload."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
Feel overwhelmed
To experience the feeling of being overwhelmed.
"I often feel overwhelmed by the amount of information I need to process."
From Middle English *overwhelmen*, equivalent to over- + whelm. Whelm itself derives from Old English *hwelm* ('to turn upside down, to submerge').
The word 'overwhelmed' has been used in English since the 14th century to describe being submerged or overcome by a force.
Memory tip
Imagine a wave of emotions crashing over you – that's being overwhelmed.
Practice
Word Origin
Root: whelm