überreichlich

überreichlich (pronounced [ˈyːbɐʁaɪçlɪç]) is a German adjective meaning “excessively abundant” or “more than plentiful.” It combines the prefix über‑ (“over, beyond”) with the adjective reichlich (“abundant, plentiful”). The term is employed to describe quantities, supplies, or offers that exceed the amount considered sufficient or normal.

Etymology

The component über‑ derives from Old High German ubar, denoting “over” or “above.” Reichlich originates from Middle High German rīchlīch, related to reich (“rich, abundant”). The compound thus conveys a sense of surplus that goes beyond ordinary richness.

Usage

In contemporary German, überreichlich is used primarily in formal or literary contexts. It can modify nouns referring to material goods (e.g., eine überreichliche Ernte “an overly abundant harvest”), abstract resources (e.g., überreichliche Informationen “excessive information”), or emotional states (e.g., überreichliche Freude “overwhelming joy”). The word often carries a slight evaluative nuance, implying that the excess may be unnecessary or even wasteful.

Synonyms and related terms

Synonyms include überschüssig, überflüssig (when the surplus is considered redundant) and überreich (a less common variant). Antonyms are knapp, mangelnd, dürftig.

Cultural references

The adjective appears in German literature to accentuate themes of opulence or critique overconsumption. In economic discussions, überreichlich may describe markets with surplus production, while in ecology it can denote resource abundance that destabilizes ecosystems.

Grammar

As an adjective, überreichlich declines according to standard German adjective inflection patterns and can be used predicatively (e.g., Die Ernte war überreichlich) or attributively (e.g., ein überreichlicher Vorrat). The comparative form is überreichlicher, and the superlative is am überreichlichsten.