How to pronounce overly
Say it like OH-ver-lee. Overly 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 overly. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- OH
- ver
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Overly 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.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of overly
- 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-lee.
What does overly mean?
- to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits“too big”
Where does overly come from?
From over + -ly (adverbial suffix).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying overly
How do you pronounce overly?
Say OH-ver-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˈoʊvɚli/. In British English it is /ˈəʊvəli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in overly?
Overly has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OH). Broken into parts: OH · ver · lee.
Is overly 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 /ˈəʊvəli/ (OH-vuh-lee).