How to pronounce overlap
Say it like OH-ver-lap. Overlap 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 overlap. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- OH
- ver
- lap
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Overlap 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.
- lapGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of overlap
- 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-lap.
What does overlap mean?
- coincide partially or wholly“Our vacations overlap”
- extend over and cover a part of“The roofs of the houses overlap in this crowded city”
- a representation of common ground between theories or phenomena“there was no overlap between their proposals”
- the property of partial coincidence in time
- a flap that lies over another part“the lap of the shingles should be at least ten inches”
Where does overlap come from?
Cognate with Dutch overlap.
Questions about saying overlap
How do you pronounce overlap?
Say OH-ver-lap. The American pronunciation is /ˈoʊvɚˌlæp/. In British English it is /ˈəʊvəˌlæp/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in overlap?
Overlap has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OH). Broken into parts: OH · ver · lap.
Is overlap 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 /ˈəʊvəˌlæp/ (OH-vuh-lap).