overflow

If liquid or its container does this, the liquid rises above the edge and spills out.

• The bath overflowed.
• Heavy rain caused the river to overflow its banks.
• Turn off the tap before the sink overflows.

Similar words: spill over, run over

Common phrases: overflow the banks, begin to overflow, let something overflow

To contain more people, things, or feelings than can comfortably fit or be held.

• The bins are overflowing.
• The waiting room overflowed with patients.
• She was overflowing with joy after hearing the news.

How to use it: overflow with something (Her inbox was overflowing with messages.)

Similar words: brim, be packed

Common phrases: overflow with people, overflow with joy, overflow with rubbish

To spread over land or another surface and cover it with liquid.

• Floodwater overflowed the fields.
• The swollen river overflowed the low farmland.
• By morning, muddy water had overflowed the valley floor.

Similar words: flood, inundate, cover

Common phrases: overflow the fields, overflow the land, overflow the valley