How to pronounce overactive
Say it like oh-vuh-RAK-tiv. Overactive has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (RAK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce overactive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- oh
- vuh
- RAK
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Overactive pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ohGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- vuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- RAKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of overactive
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: oh-vuh-RAK-tiv.
What does overactive mean?
- Excessively active.
Where does overactive come from?
From over- + active.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with overactive
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of overactive.
- attractive
- interactive
- radioactive
- inactive
- reactive
- proactive
- unattractive
- retroactive
- refractive
- psychoactive
Questions about saying overactive
How do you pronounce overactive?
Say oh-vuh-RAK-tiv. The American pronunciation is /ˌoʊvəˈræktɪv/. In British English it is /ˌəʊvəˈræktɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in overactive?
Overactive has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (RAK). Broken into parts: oh · vuh · RAK · tiv.
Is overactive pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˌəʊvəˈræktɪv/ (oh-vuh-RAK-tiv).