How to pronounce overdue
Say it like oh-ver-DOO. Overdue 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 overdue. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- oh
- ver
- DOO
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Overdue 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 overdue
- 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-DYOO.
What does overdue mean?
- past due; not paid at the scheduled time“an overdue installment”“a delinquent account”
Where does overdue come from?
From over- + due.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with overdue
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of overdue.
Words that sound like overdue
Questions about saying overdue
How do you pronounce overdue?
Say oh-ver-DOO. The American pronunciation is /ˌoʊvɚˈdu/. In British English it is /ˌəʊvəˈdju/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in overdue?
Overdue has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (DOO). Broken into parts: oh · ver · DOO.
Is overdue 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 /ˌəʊvəˈdju/ (oh-vuh-DYOO).
What words sound the same as overdue?
Overdue sounds the same as overdo in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.