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Definition of oversleep

oversleep

/ˌoʊvɚˈsliːp/
o · ver · sleep
Past Simple:overslept
•
Past Participle:overslept
•
Present Participle:oversleeping
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oversleep Lexical Profile

oversleep Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To sleep beyond the time one intended or needed to wake up.

Example

"He missed the morning train because his alarm failed to go off and he overslept."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for oversleep
Antonyms
View all antonyms for oversleep

Word Nuance & Usage

'Oversleep' typically implies accidentally sleeping past a scheduled time or alarm, whereas 'sleep in' usually implies intentionally sleeping later than usual for rest or leisure.

• Rhymes for oversleep

• Nearby Words

oversize
oversized
overskirt
oversleep
oversoak
overspecialization
overspecialized

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old English oferslǣpan, formed from the prefix ofer- ('over, beyond') and slǣpan ('to sleep').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Oversleep. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/oversleep
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