What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
overfilling
Example
I accidentally overfilled the cup with water, and it spilled over. [overfilled: past tense verb]
Example
The chef warned against overfilling the pot with oil to avoid splattering. [overfilling: gerund or present participle]
overflowing
Example
The river was overflowing after days of heavy rain. [overflowing: adjective]
Example
The sink was overflowing with dirty dishes. [overflowing: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Overflowing is more commonly used than overfilling in everyday language, especially in the context of liquids. Overfilling is less common and may be used more in technical or specialized contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between overfilling and overflowing?
Both overfilling and overflowing are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
