How to pronounce overlie
Say it like oh-ver-LY. Overlie has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce overlie. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- oh
- ver
- LY
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Overlie 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.
- LYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of overlie
- 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-LY.
What does overlie mean?
- To lie over or upon“The new sediment layers overlie the older rock formations.”
- To suffocate by lying upon
Where does overlie come from?
From Middle English overlien, overliggen, equivalent to over- + lie (“to be reclined”).
Words that rhyme with overlie
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of overlie.
Questions about saying overlie
How do you pronounce overlie?
Say oh-ver-LY. The American pronunciation is /ˌoʊvɚˈlaɪ/. In British English it is /ˌəʊvəˈlaɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in overlie?
Overlie has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LY). Broken into parts: oh · ver · LY.
Is overlie 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 /ˌəʊvəˈlaɪ/ (oh-vuh-LY).