How to pronounce overboard
Say it like OH-ver-bord. Overboard 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 overboard. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- OH
- ver
- bord
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Overboard 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.
- verKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- bordGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of overboard
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: OH-vuh-bawd.
What does overboard mean?
- Outside of a boat; in the water.
- Over the edge; especially, off or outside of a boat.“It was their practice to throw the scraps overboard.”
- Excessively; too much.“They really went overboard with the party preparations.”
- To throw over the edge of a boat into the water.
- To cover (a ceiling) with plasterboard to create a new surface.
Where does overboard come from?
From Middle English overbord, overborde, equivalent to over- + board.
Questions about saying overboard
How do you pronounce overboard?
Say OH-ver-bord. The American pronunciation is /ˈoʊvɚˌbɔrd/. In British English it is /ˈəʊvəˌbɔːd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in overboard?
Overboard has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OH). Broken into parts: OH · ver · bord.
Is overboard pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈəʊvəˌbɔːd/ (OH-vuh-bawd).