How to pronounce overdo
Say it like oh-ver-DOO. Overdo has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (DOO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce overdo. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- oh
- ver
- DOO
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Overdo 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.
- verKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- DOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of overdo
- 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-DOO.
What does overdo mean?
- To do too much; to exceed what is proper or true in doing; to carry too far.“I overdid the sweets during the holidays and put on some weight.”
- To cook for too long.“to overdo the meat”
- To give (someone or something) too much work; to require too much effort or strength of (someone); to use up too much of (something).“to overdo one’s strength”
Where does overdo come from?
From Middle English overdon, from Old English oferdōn, equivalent to over- + do.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with overdo
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of overdo.
Words that sound like overdo
Questions about saying overdo
How do you pronounce overdo?
Say oh-ver-DOO. The American pronunciation is /ˌoʊvɚˈdu/. In British English it is /ˌəʊvəˈduː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in overdo?
Overdo has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (DOO). Broken into parts: oh · ver · DOO.
Is overdo 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 /ˌəʊvəˈduː/ (oh-vuh-DOO).
What words sound the same as overdo?
Overdo sounds the same as overdue in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.