overprice
C1Formal / Business
Definition
Meaning
To set a price for something that is too high.
To value something (goods, services, assets) at a cost considered excessive relative to its perceived worth, market value, or typical pricing.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a judgment that the price is unreasonably or unfairly high. It can be used transitively (overprice something) or passively (be overpriced). The adjective 'overpriced' is far more common in everyday use than the verb 'overprice'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling is consistent. The term is used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries a negative connotation of poor value or exploitation.
Frequency
Equally common in both British and American English, primarily in commercial and consumer contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] overprices [Object].[Object] is overpriced.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Pay through the nose (for something).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Analysts warned that the company had overpriced its new software suite, risking low sales volume.
Academic
The study examined how luxury brands strategically overprice goods to enhance perceptions of exclusivity.
Everyday
I love that café, but their cakes are completely overpriced.
Technical
The valuation model suggests the commercial property portfolio is overpriced by approximately 15%.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The estate agent cautioned them not to overprice the flat if they wanted a quick sale.
- Many tourists feel they are overpriced for basic souvenirs in central London.
American English
- Developers risk overpricing the new condos in this market.
- If you overprice your car, you'll scare off potential buyers.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard; typically expressed with 'overpriced' as adjective.)
American English
- (Not standard; typically expressed with 'overpriced' as adjective.)
adjective
British English
- The hotel was lovely but terribly overpriced.
- He avoided the overpriced pints at the airport bar.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The water is overpriced in this shop.
- I think this jacket is overpriced. Let's look elsewhere.
- The consultant's report concluded that the shares were significantly overpriced.
- Venture capitalists argued that the startup's owners had overpriced their equity, jeopardising the funding round.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: OVER the fair PRICE = OVERPRICE.
Conceptual Metaphor
VALUE IS HEIGHT / PRICE IS A LEVEL (Prices are 'high' or 'low'; an excessive price is 'over' the appropriate level).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation of 'переоценить', which means 'to overestimate' or 'to reappraise', not to overprice. The correct Russian equivalent would be 'завышать цену' or 'запрашивать слишком высокую цену'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'overprice' as a noun (incorrect: 'the overprice of the ticket'; correct: 'the ticket was overpriced').
- Confusing 'overprice' with 'overvalue' (the latter relates to estimated worth, not necessarily the asking price).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'overprice' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The adjective form 'overpriced' is vastly more common in everyday language than the verb 'to overprice'.
The direct opposite is 'underprice'. 'Discount' or 'undervalue' are also related antonyms.
It can be used for both goods and services (e.g., 'overpriced legal advice', 'an overpriced haircut').
'Overprice' refers to setting an asking price too high. 'Overcharge' refers to actually making someone pay more than the agreed, advertised, or fair price.