B2verbpsychologybusiness
US/ˌoʊ.vərˈes.tɪ.meɪt/
UK/ˌəʊ.vərˈes.tɪ.meɪt/
to think that something is bigger, better or more likely than it really is
In context
Many new drivers overestimate their skills and take unnecessary risks.
We overestimated how long the journey would take and arrived early.
It is easy to overestimate the effect of one small change.
Words that go with overestimate
verb + noun
- overestimate your abilitiesDon't overestimate your abilities on the first day.
- overestimate the importance ofPeople often overestimate the importance of luck.
- overestimate the costThey overestimated the cost, so some money was left over.
- overestimate the sizeFans overestimated the size of the crowd.
adverb + verb
- grossly overestimateThe report grossly overestimated the number of visitors.
adjective + preposition
- easy to overestimateIt is easy to overestimate how much you can finish in a day.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
overestimate about the costCorrect: overestimate the cost