How to pronounce overflow
Say it like OH-ver-floh. Overflow 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 overflow. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- OH
- ver
- floh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Overflow 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.
- flohGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of overflow
- 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-floh.
Other ways to say overflow
Overflow also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- oh-ver-FLOH /ˌoʊvɚˈfloʊ/
What does overflow mean?
- The spillage resultant from overflowing.
- An outlet for escape of excess material.
- Excess, superabundance
- To flow over the brim of (a container).“The river overflowed the levee into the road.”
- To cover with a liquid, literally or figuratively.“The flash flood overflowed most of the parkland and some homes.”
- To cause an overflow.
Where does overflow come from?
From Middle English overflowen, from Old English oferflōwan, equivalent to over- + flow.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying overflow
How do you pronounce overflow?
Say OH-ver-floh. The American pronunciation is /ˈoʊvɚˌfloʊ/. In British English it is /ˈəʊvəˌfləʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in overflow?
Overflow has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OH). Broken into parts: OH · ver · floh.
Is overflow 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 /ˈəʊvəˌfləʊ/ (OH-vuh-floh).