déborder

to overflow, to spill over

verb deh-bor-DEH Less Common

Also means

to be overwhelmed

Usage Note

déborder is used for water overflowing a container but also figuratively: déborder de travail means to be swamped with work, and déborder de joie means to be brimming with joy. Faire déborder le vase (to make the vase overflow) is the equivalent of 'to be the last straw.'

Examples

"La rivière a débordé après les pluies."

Natural Translation

The river overflowed after the rains.

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