How to pronounce overall
Say it like OH-vuh-rawl. Overall has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce overall. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- OH
- vuh
- rawl
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Overall pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- OHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- vuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- rawlGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of overall
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: OH-vuh-rawl.
What does overall mean?
- involving only main features“the overall pattern of his life”
- including everything“the overall cost”
- (usually plural) work clothing consisting of denim trousers (usually with a bib and shoulder straps)
- a loose protective coverall or smock worn over ordinary clothing for dirty work
Where does overall come from?
From Middle English overall, overal, from Old English ofer eall, ofer ealle (“over all”), equivalent to over + all.
Questions about saying overall
How do you pronounce overall?
Say OH-vuh-rawl. The American pronunciation is /ˈoʊvəˌrɔl/. In British English it is /ˈəʊvərɔːl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in overall?
Overall has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OH). Broken into parts: OH · vuh · rawl.
Is overall 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 /ˈəʊvərɔːl/ (OH-vuh-rawl).