How to pronounce overhearing
Say it like oh-ver-HEE-ring. Overhearing has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (HEE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce overhearing. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- oh
- ver
- HEE
- ring
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Overhearing 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.
- HEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- ringKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of overhearing
- 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-HEE-ring.
What does overhearing mean?
- present participle and gerund of overhear How to pronounce overhear
- The act by which something is overheard.
Words that rhyme with overhearing
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of overhearing.
Questions about saying overhearing
How do you pronounce overhearing?
Say oh-ver-HEE-ring. The American pronunciation is /ˌoʊvɚˈhirɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˌəʊvəˈhiːrɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in overhearing?
Overhearing has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (HEE). Broken into parts: oh · ver · HEE · ring.
Is overhearing 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 /ˌəʊvəˈhiːrɪŋ/ (oh-vuh-HEE-ring).