Overappreciating

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To recognize or value something more than its true worth
2. to hold a sentiment that exaggerates the merit or quality of an object, person, or situation
3. to express an excessive admiration or approval that goes beyond rational assessment

Etymology: Overappreciating is a plain formation: the prefix "over-" (meaning excessively) attached to "appreciating," the present participle of "appreciate." The base word itself has a more surprising history. "Appreciate" came into English in the 1600s from the Latin "appretiare," meaning to set a price on something, built from "ad-" (to) and "pretium" (price). Its earliest English sense was therefore literally to value in money terms, and the sense of recognizing merit or quality came later. The "over-" prefix is an Old English element that has been used productively for centuries to mark excess, as in "overeat" or "overcook." Verbs formed this way with "over-" are generally considered acceptable English, though they are rarely found in dictionaries because they are predictable from their parts.

Synonyms: overvaluing, overestimating, overrating, overadmiring, exaggerating

Antonyms: underappreciating, undervaluing, underestimating