US noun /ˈoʊvɚˌdoʊs/ verb /ˌoʊvɚˈdoʊs/ UK noun /ˈəʊvəˌdəʊs/ verb /ˌəʊvəˈdəʊs/
noun verb Freq #9956

Meanings

  1. 1
    noun

    an excessive and potentially dangerous or fatal amount of a drug or medicine

    The patient was treated immediately for an accidental overdose.

  2. 2
    verb

    to take or be given an excessive and potentially dangerous amount of a drug or medicine

    Always follow the label so that you do not overdose on the medication.

  3. 3
    verb

    to give someone or something too large a dose

    The attendant accidentally overdosed the animal with the sedative.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 noun · an excessive and... excessive doseoverdosage
2 verb · to take or be given an... take too muchovermedicate
3 verb · to give someone or... overmedicate
Opposites
correct doseunderdose
Word family
Derived forms overdosedoverdosingoverdoser
Related forms dosedosagetoxicity

Etymology

From over- + dose. The noun names an amount beyond a safe dose; the verb names taking or administering such an amount. The noun normally has initial stress, while the verb stresses dose.

Topics

markdown

Send feedback

Optional — only if you'd like a reply.