What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
overspill
Example
The overspill of water from the bathtub flooded the bathroom floor. [overspill: noun]
Example
The party guests caused an overspill of noise onto the street, disturbing the neighbors. [overspill: verb]
overflow
Example
The river overflowed its banks after heavy rainfall. [overflow: verb]
Example
The sink overflowed with bubbles from the dish soap. [overflow: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Overflow is more commonly used than overspill in everyday language, especially in American English.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between overspill and overflow?
Both overspill and overflow are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
