What is overworked? Pronunciation and usage in English

overworked means . Learn how to pronounce and use overworked through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of overworked

overworkedadjective

/ˌəʊvəˈwɜːkt//ˌəʊvərˈwɜːrkt/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "overworked." Here's a breakdown with phonetic approximations:

IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) - The most precise:

  • oʊ – Like the "oh" in "boat" or "go"
  • vər – Rhymes with "fur" or "cur" (the 'v' sound is quite subtle)
  • wɜːrk – This is the tricky part. It’s a diphthong (a vowel sound that glides from one quality to another).
    • wɜː – Think of the "wur" in "word" but with a slightly more open "u" sound – almost like a short, sharp "er". It’s a bit like the "er" in "her."
    • k – Just a regular "k" sound, like in "kite".

Putting it together phonetically: /oʊˈvɜːrk/

Explanation and Tips for Non-Native Speakers:

  • Stress: The stress is on the second syllable (“work”). You’ll want to emphasize that syllable more strongly.
  • The "wɜː" sound: This is the key to getting it right. Practice saying “wur” and slowly extend the vowel sound, making it a bit wider and more “open”. It's not a hard "w" sound like in "water."
  • The "r" sound: In many American accents, the "r" in "worked" is quite subtle. Don’t overemphasize it – it's more of a linking sound.

Here are some ways to hear it:

  • Google it: Search for "how to pronounce overworked" on Google or YouTube. You'll find many audio examples.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/overworked/ – This website has pronunciations from native speakers.

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What accent are you aiming for? (e.g., American, British, Australian?) Accent can influence pronunciation slightly.

Usage and examples with the word overworked in English

Let's break down how to use the word "overworked." It's a really common and important word to understand!

1. Basic Meaning:

"Overworked" describes a situation where someone is working too much and not getting enough rest or time for themselves. It implies a state of exhaustion and strain due to excessive work.

2. How to Use It in Sentences:

Here are some examples, categorized by how you’re using the word:

  • Describing a Person:

    • "She's completely overworked; she hasn't had a day off in months." (Focuses on the person's state)
    • "My doctor says I'm overworked and need to take some time to relax." (States a diagnosis)
    • "Being overworked has led to burnout and reduced productivity." (Describes the consequences)
    • "He’s overworked and stressed, so he’s not himself." (Links it to emotional state)

  • Describing a Situation/Job:

    • "The nurses are incredibly overworked during flu season." (Focuses on the job/role)
    • "The company asked for volunteers to work overtime because everyone was overworked." (Describes the reason for extra work)
    • "The system is overworked and struggling to handle the volume of requests.” (Describes a system's capacity)

  • As an Adjective (describing something):

    • "He’s an overworked employee who deserves a raise." (Describes the employee)
    • "The overworked healthcare workers are heroes." (Describes the healthcare workers)

3. Key Considerations & Nuances:

  • Synonyms: "Overworked" has several related words you can use depending on the shade of meaning you want:

    • Stressed: Highlights the emotional strain.
    • Burnt out: Suggests a complete emotional and physical exhaustion.
    • Pressured: Emphasizes the external demands.
    • Demanding: Describes a job or situation that requires excessive effort.

  • Cause and Effect: "Overworked" often implies a cause-and-effect relationship. Working too much causes stress, exhaustion, and potentially reduced performance.

  • Context is Important: Consider why someone is overworked. Is it voluntary (e.g., working overtime), or is it due to poor management, unrealistic expectations, or a heavy workload?

4. Example Conversation:

Person A: "I'm completely exhausted. I've been working 60 hours a week for the past two weeks." Person B: “Wow, you’re really overworked! That’s unsustainable. You need to find a way to manage your workload or take some time off."

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you hoping to use "overworked" in? (e.g., writing an essay, having a conversation, describing a situation?)

Synonyms for the word overworked

Practice with vocabulary overworked

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The entire team felt severely ______________ after the intense project deadline, having worked late every night for a month.
  2. The office's productivity has dropped significantly because it is severely ______________, struggling to manage the current workload with fewer people.
  3. Managing multiple high-priority projects simultaneously can be incredibly ______________, requiring careful time management and strategic planning.
  4. Hospital staff have been particularly ______________ since the surge in patient admissions, leading to concerns about their well-being.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which word best describes an employee who consistently has an excessive workload and feels physically and mentally drained? a) idle b) diligent c) overworked d) relaxed

  2. Select all that apply: The project manager noticed that her team members were looking visibly ______ due to the tight deadlines and extended hours. a) invigorated b) underpaid c) overworked d) exhausted e) burnt out

  3. Which of the following terms could describe a department struggling with insufficient resources and an overwhelming number of tasks? a) well-resourced b) understaffed c) overworked d) efficient e) strained

  4. After running the marathon, the athlete felt utterly ______, barely able to walk another step. a) energized b) refreshed c) fatigued d) alert

  5. The new CEO's strategic initiatives proved to be quite ______________, requiring significant effort and dedication from all departments to implement successfully. a) trivial b) straightforward c) demanding d) effortless

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: Many employees are working excessively long hours, which often leads to stress and reduced productivity. Rewrite: (Use "overworked")

  2. Original: The healthcare system is currently facing immense pressure due to an increase in patients and a shortage of staff. Rewrite: (Use "overworked")

  3. Original: After weeks of intense negotiations and little sleep, the legal team was completely depleted of energy. Rewrite: (Do not use "overworked")

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. overworked
  2. understaffed
  3. demanding
  4. overworked

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) overworked
  2. c) overworked, d) exhausted, e) burnt out
  3. b) understaffed, c) overworked, e) strained
  4. c) fatigued
  5. c) demanding

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Many employees are overworked, which often leads to stress and reduced productivity.
  2. The healthcare system is currently overworked due to an increase in patients and a shortage of staff.
  3. After weeks of intense negotiations and little sleep, the legal team was completely burnt out.

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