How to pronounce overkill
Say it like OH-ver-kil. Overkill 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 overkill. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- OH
- ver
- kil
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Overkill 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.
- kilGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of overkill
- 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-kil.
What does overkill mean?
- A destructive capacity that exceeds that needed to destroy an enemy; especially with nuclear weapons.
- Destruction beyond what is necessary to kill, especially in murder.
- An unnecessary excess of whatever is needed to achieve a goal.“24 hours of TV coverage of the US election verged on overkill.”
- To destroy something with more (nuclear) force than is required.
- To dispose of too many items because of too-high criteria of inspection.
- To do something excessive to achieve a goal.
Where does overkill come from?
From over- + kill.
Questions about saying overkill
How do you pronounce overkill?
Say OH-ver-kil. The American pronunciation is /ˈoʊvɚˌkɪl/. In British English it is /ˈəʊvəˌkɪl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in overkill?
Overkill has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OH). Broken into parts: OH · ver · kil.
Is overkill 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 /ˈəʊvəˌkɪl/ (OH-vuh-kil).