How to pronounce overfall
Say it like OH-ver-fawl. Overfall has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OH).
- OH
- ver
- fawl
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Overfall 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.
- fawlKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of overfall
- 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-fawl.
What does overfall mean?
- A turbulent section of a body of water, caused by strong currents passing over submerged ridges.
- Part of a garment that hangs so as to cover a lower part.
- To fall on or spill over so as to cover (something).
- To change or affect so as to pervade (something); to come over
- To fall over; to spill from an edge or height.
Where does overfall come from?
From Middle English overfallen, from Old English oferfeallan (“to fall upon, attack”), from Proto-West Germanic *obarfallan, *ubirfallan, from Proto-Germanic *ubirfallaną; equivalent to over- + fall.
Questions about saying overfall
How do you pronounce overfall?
Say OH-ver-fawl. The American pronunciation is /ˈoʊvɚfɔl/. In British English it is /ˈəʊvəfɔːl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in overfall?
Overfall has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OH). Broken into parts: OH · ver · fawl.
Is overfall 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 /ˈəʊvəfɔːl/ (OH-vuh-fawl).