overvalue
UK[ˌəʊvəˈvæljuː]US[ˌoʊvərˈvæljuː]
v
To put too high a value on something; to value something more than it is really worth.
Morpheme Breakdown
over
value
over
excessively
value
worth
Etymology
The word 'overvalue' is a transparent compound formed within English by combining the native Germanic prefix 'over-' with the Latinate root 'value'. The prefix 'over-' carries its ancient sense of excess or surpassing a limit, traceable to the Proto-Indo-European root uper, meaning "over." The root 'value' descends from the Latin verb valere, which meant "to be strong, to have power," and by extension, "to be of worth." The semantic evolution is direct: to assign a worth that is excessively strong or high. Thus, the modern abstract meaning of estimating something's worth beyond its true or fair measure logically follows from the literal combination of its parts.
Analysis
Structure: over (excessively) + value (worth)
- over: A prefix of Old English origin, from Proto-Germanic uber, meaning "over, above, beyond, in excess."
- value: A noun/verb of Latin origin, from valere meaning "to be strong, be worth."
Examples
Investors must be careful not to overvalue a company based on short-term hype.
It's easy to overvalue possessions and undervalue relationships.
The property was overvalued in the appraisal, leading to an unrealistic asking price.