overused
使いすぎた
解説 Definition
overused は overuse（使いすぎる）の過去形・過去分詞で、使いすぎた、酷使されたという意味です。形容詞として、表現・道具・考えなどが何度も使われて新鮮さや効果を失っている場合によく使います。
Used too often or too much, so that something has lost its freshness, effectiveness, or good condition. It can describe expressions and ideas that have become unoriginal, as well as equipment that has been subjected to excessive use.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
overuse（使いすぎる）に過去分詞の語尾 -d が付いた形で、語末は /zd/ と発音します。形容詞では、表現なら「繰り返されて新鮮味を失った」、機械なら「酷使された」という含みです。an overused phrase や overused equipment のまとまりで覚えましょう。
Connect overused directly with the verb overuse: over- means “too much,” and used shows that the excessive use has already affected something. The ending is pronounced with /zd/, as in used. Picture two typical contexts: an overused phrase has appeared so often that it no longer sounds fresh, while an overused machine has worked so much that it needs maintenance. Learning the combinations an overused word, an overused idea, and overused equipment will help you remember both the “unoriginal” and “used excessively” senses.
例文
The phrase felt overused after appearing in every report.
その表現はどの報告書にも出てきたので、使い古された感じがしました。
This printer is overused and needs regular maintenance.
このプリンターは使いすぎで、定期的な手入れが必要です。
The teacher asked us to replace overused words with more precise ones.
先生は、使いすぎた言葉をもっと正確な言葉に置き換えるよう求めました。
overused の類義語・関連語
overused の語源・成り立ち Etymology
over- は古英語 ofer「過度に」、used は古フランス語経由でラテン語 uti「使う」にさかのぼります。直訳すると「使いを越えた」で、「必要以上に使われて新鮮味がない」と分かり、use や useful が related です。
Overused is the past participle of overuse, formed from the productive prefix over-, meaning “excessively,” and use. Over- descends from Old English ofer, while use entered English through Old French from Latin uti, “to use.” As an adjective, the participle describes something affected by excessive or repeated use, often with the added idea that it has lost freshness, force, or good condition.
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