Standard Lemma guide

overlearn

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • UK: /əʊvəˈləːn/

1

verb

Meaning 1

To learn (something) more than is necessary; to study excessively, to take (something) too much to heart.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To learn (something) to the point where responses become instinctive.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: education, human-sciences, psychology, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

Mostly when talking about neural networks, to learn a task to the point where responses actually start to degrade. Compare with overfit, in model tuning contexts.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Qualifier: modeling

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From over- + learn.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: surapprendre — learn more than necessary
  • French: sur-apprendre — learn more than necessary
  • German: überlernen — learn more than necessary
  • Polish: przeuczyć się — learn more than necessary