How to pronounce overload
Say it like OH-ver-lohd. Overload 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 overload. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- OH
- ver
- lohd
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Overload 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.
- lohdGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of overload
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 3.
- 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-LOHD.
What does overload mean?
- become overloaded“The aerator overloaded”
- fill to excess so that function is impaired“Fear clogged her mind”“The story was clogged with too many details”
- place too much a load on“don't overload the car”
- an electrical load that exceeds the available electrical power
- an excessive burden
Where does overload come from?
From over- + load.
Questions about saying overload
How do you pronounce overload?
Say OH-ver-lohd. The American pronunciation is /ˈoʊvɚˌloʊd/. In British English it is /ˌəʊvəˈləʊd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in overload?
Overload has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OH). Broken into parts: OH · ver · lohd.
Is overload pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 3. The British form is /ˌəʊvəˈləʊd/ (oh-vuh-LOHD).