How Do You Spell OVERTASK?

Pronunciation: [ˌə͡ʊvətˈask] (IPA)

The word "overtask" is spelled as /ˌoʊvərˈtæsk/, with the primary stress on the second syllable. It is composed of the prefix "over", meaning "excessive", and the verb "task", meaning "to assign a task or duty". When combined, it means to assign too many tasks or duties, resulting in excessive or unrealistic demands. Proper spelling and pronunciation ensure clear communication in both verbal and written contexts, helping to avoid misunderstandings and ensuring that messages are accurately conveyed.

OVERTASK Meaning and Definition

1. Overtask is a verb that refers to the act of assigning or burdening someone or something with an excessive amount of work or responsibilities, beyond their abilities or capacity. When a person is overtaken, they are overloaded, overwhelmed, or overworked beyond what they can reasonably handle. This may occur when an individual is given too many tasks, projects, or obligations within a specific timeframe, resulting in a feeling of being stretched too thin and potentially negatively impacting their performance or well-being.

   In a broader sense, overtaking can also apply to entities like systems, organizations, or resources that are overwhelmed or strained due to an excessive workload or demand. For example, a computer or network may be overtaken if it is subjected to too many simultaneous operations, causing it to slow down or crash. Similarly, public services like healthcare, transportation, or emergency services can be overtaken when faced with an overwhelming number of requests or emergencies, which can lead to delays or compromised effectiveness.

   The term "overtask" implies a failure to adequately balance workload or resources, often resulting in negative consequences. It highlights the importance of properly assessing and distributing responsibilities to ensure individuals or systems are not overwhelmed or put under undue strain, thereby maintaining productivity, efficiency, and overall well-being.

2. To require too much labour from, either mental or physical.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for OVERTASK

• overtaks
• overtaske
• overtak
• overtac
• ivertask
• kvertask
• lvertask
• pvertask
• 0vertask
• 9vertask
• ocertask
• obertask
• ogertask
• ofertask
• ovwrtask
• ovsrtask
• ovdrtask
• ovrrtask
• ov4rtask
• ov3rtask

Etymology of OVERTASK

The word "overtask" is derived from the combination of two separate words: "over" and "task".

The word "over" comes from the Old English word "ofer", which means "above" or "beyond". It has its roots in the Proto-Germanic language and can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European base "*uper".

The word "task" originated from the Middle English word "taske", which referred to a piece of work assigned to someone. It was derived from the Old North French word "tasque", meaning "a duty or tax". The Old French word "tasque" can be further traced back to the Vulgar Latin word "tasca", which meant "duty" or "impost".

Conjugate verb Overtask

CONDITIONAL

I would overtask

you would overtask

he/she/it would overtask

we would overtask

they would overtask

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be overtasking

you would be overtasking

he/she/it would be overtasking

we would be overtasking

they would be overtasking

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have overtask

you would have overtask

he/she/it would have overtask

we would have overtask

they would have overtask

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been overtasking

you would have been overtasking

he/she/it would have been overtasking

we would have been overtasking

they would have been overtasking

FUTURE

I will overtask

you will overtask

he/she/it will overtask

we will overtask

they will overtask

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be overtasking

you will be overtasking

he/she/it will be overtasking

we will be overtasking

they will be overtasking

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have overtasked

you will have overtasked

he/she/it will have overtasked

we will have overtasked

they will have overtasked

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been overtasking

you will have been overtasking

he/she/it will have been overtasking

we will have been overtasking

they will have been overtasking

IMPERATIVE

you overtask

we let´s overtask

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to overtask

PAST

I overtasked

you overtasked

he/she/it overtasked

we overtasked

they overtasked

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was overtasking

you were overtasking

he/she/it was overtasking

we were overtasking

they were overtasking

PAST PARTICIPLE

overtasked

PAST PERFECT

I had overtasked

you had overtasked

he/she/it had overtasked

we had overtasked

they had overtasked

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been overtasking

you had been overtasking

he/she/it had been overtasking

we had been overtasking

they had been overtasking

PRESENT

I overtask

you overtask

he/she/it overtasks

we overtask

they overtask

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am overtasking

you are overtasking

he/she/it is overtasking

we are overtasking

they are overtasking

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

overtasking

PRESENT PERFECT

I have overtasked

you have overtasked

he/she/it has overtasked

we have overtasked

they have overtasked

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been overtasking

you have been overtasking

he/she/it has been overtasking

we have been overtasking

they have been overtasking