# overflow

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈəʊvəˌfləʊ/ · frequency rank #17,436

## Definitions
1. The spillage resultant from overflowing.
2. An outlet for escape of excess material.
3. Excess, superabundance
4. The situation where a value exceeds the available numeric range.

## Etymology
From Middle English overflowen, from Old English oferflōwan, equivalent to over- + flow.

## Easily confused with
- **overblown** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/overblown-vs-overflow)

## Common misspellings (12)
`oevrflow`, `ovefrlow`, `overfflow`, `overfllow`, `overfloww`, `overflwo`, `overfolw`, `overlfow`, `overrflow`, `ovreflow`, `ovverflow`, `voerflow`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/overflow