overproof
Syllables: over·proof/(ˌ)əʊvəˈpɹuːf/US/ˌoʊvɚˈpɹuf/
overproof adjective: possessing a higher proportion of alcohol than proof spirit.
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Adjective
overproof (not comparable)
- Possessing a higher proportion of alcohol than proof spirit.
- Leeward Island Rums are but seldom brought to this country at a higher rate of strength, than eight or ten per cent. overproof.1827, “One of the Old School” [pseudonym], chapter I, in Wine and Spirit Adulterators Unmasked, […], London: Printed for the author, by J. Robins and Co. […], →OCLC, page 30
- In overproof spirit, the per centage overproof always represents the quantity of water it will take to reduce it to proof. By adding its per centage overproof to 100, we obtain a number, which, multiplied by any number of gallons, and divided by 100, will give the exact number of proof gallons...1851, Arnold James Cooley, “ALCOHOL”, in The Book of Useful Knowledge: A Cyclopædia of Six Thousand Practical Receipts, and Collateral Information, including Medicine, Pharmacy, and Domestic Economy....
- Synonyms:
- above proof, OP
- Antonyms:
- underproof
Noun
overproof (plural overproofs)
- A spirit possessing a higher proportion of alcohol than proof spirit.
- [E]ach degree of the hydrometer, when at or near proof, is about a quart in a hundred gallons stronger or weaker, as the hydrometer vibrates under or over the silver speck or sight on the index or upper stem; at the intermediate or strong overproofs, is about a pint in ditto; and at the low...1806, Peter Jonas, “Method of Ascertaining the Strength of Spiritous Liquors by Clarke’s Hydrometer”, in The Genuine Art of Gauging Made Easy and Familiar; Exhibiting All the Principal Methods...
- Bustle, Jack, bustle. Show us the best—the very best—the over-proof that you keep for your own drinking, Jack!1841 February–November, Charles Dickens, “Barnaby Rudge. Chapter 54.”, in Master Humphrey’s Clock, volume II, London: Chapman & Hall, […], →OCLC, page 249
Verb
overproof (third-person singular simple present overproofs, present participle overproofing, simple past and past participle overproofed)
- To proof (allow dough containing yeast to rise) excessively.
- The product may have an open or irregular grain because of the following: a. Underproofing or Overproofing the Dough. b. Too Little Fermentation. c. Baking in an Oven That is Too Cool.1962 August 8, “Yeast Doughs”, in Pastry Baking (Department of the Army Technical Manual; TM 10-411; Department of the Air Force Manual; AFM 146-11), Washington, D.C.: Departments of the Army and the...
- [I]f the loaf is overproofed, it will not rise or brown in the oven and will taste of alcohol. Usually, even the act of moving the overproofed loaf into the oven will cause it to collapse and flatten. If this happens, punch down the loaf, reshape it, and proof again. Although the flavor will be...2008, Cindy Mushet, “Yeast Breads and Rolls”, in The Art and Soul of Baking, Kansas City, Mo.: Andrews McMeel Publishing, →ISBN, page 70
- Antonyms:
- underproof
Examples of overproof in a sentence
- In overproof spirit, the per centage overproof always represents the quantity of water it will take to reduce it to proof.1851, Arnold James Cooley, “ALCOHOL”, in The Book of Useful Knowledge: A Cyclopædia of Six Thousand Practical Receipts, and Collateral...
- Now the rum, as has been said, was criminally overproof, and they had had no intoxicants for a long time.1922 November 25, A[rthur] M[urray] Chisholm, “A Thousand a Plate”, in Western Story Magazine, volume XXX, number 4, New York, N.Y.: Street...
- Tournament No. 2 will consist of the averae players of the last-named class, and to them will be added the overproofs of the Knight strength.[1875 February, “The Month”, in W. N. Potter, editor, The City of London Chess Magazine, volume II, London: Longmans, Green, & Co....
- [I]f the loaf is overproofed, it will not rise or brown in the oven and will taste of alcohol.2008, Cindy Mushet, “Yeast Breads and Rolls”, in The Art and Soul of Baking, Kansas City, Mo.: Andrews McMeel Publishing, →ISBN, page 70:
Synonyms of overproof
Antonyms
Forms of overproof
| Noun | |
|---|---|
| plural | overproofs |
| Verb | |
| third-person singular present | overproofs |
| present participle | overproofing |
| past participle | overproofed |
| past | overproofed |
| alternative form | overprove |
Origin of overproof
From over- + proof.
Words that rhyme with overproof
Questions about overproof
- What does overproof mean?
- Overproof means possessing a higher proportion of alcohol than proof spirit.
- How do you use overproof in a sentence?
- In overproof spirit, the per centage overproof always represents the quantity of water it will take to reduce it to proof.
- What part of speech is overproof?
- Overproof can be an adjective, a noun or a verb.
- How do you pronounce overproof?
- Overproof is pronounced /(ˌ)əʊvəˈpɹuːf/ (UK).
Words near overproof in the dictionary
Source and license
Adapted from Wiktionary: overproof (page history and authors). Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws reformatted the entry and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.
Last updated:
Pronunciation audio from Wikimedia Commons, each file under its own free license: LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-overproof.wav.
Cite this entry: “overproof.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/overproof. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.