PsychologyAugust 23, 2026

oversharing

OH-ver-shair-ing

Definition

The act of disclosing personal, private, or intimate information to others in situations or with people where such candor is typically considered inappropriate or excessive.

Etymology

The term is a compound of the prefix 'over-', meaning 'excessive,' and the verb 'share,' derived from the Old English 'scearu' meaning 'division' or 'part.' It entered common usage in the late 20th century to describe the divulging of overly personal information.

In the news

The article reframes oversharing from a social faux pas into a psychological symptom of a lack of genuine connection in a person's life. It suggests that such disclosures act as a pressure valve for individuals who are otherwise starved for meaningful interaction.

Psychology says people who overshare with strangers — the barista, the Uber driver, the person beside them on the plane — aren't odd or inappropriately familiar, they're often starving for a conversation where someone actually listens

Read the full article ↗

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