What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
spillover
Example
The economic crisis had a spillover effect on neighboring countries. [spillover: noun]
Example
The excitement from the concert spilled over into the streets. [spilled over: past tense verb]
overspill
Example
The overspill from the dam caused flooding downstream. [overspill: noun]
Example
The party guests overspilled onto the lawn. [overspilled: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Spillover is more commonly used than overspill in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between spillover and overspill?
Spillover is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while overspill is less common and typically used in informal contexts.
