How to pronounce overlying
Say it like oh-ver-LY-ing. Overlying has four 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 overlying. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- oh
- ver
- LY
- ing
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Overlying 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.
- ingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of overlying
- 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-ing.
What does overlying mean?
- lying over or upon something else
Where does overlying come from?
From over- + lying.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with overlying
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of overlying.
Questions about saying overlying
How do you pronounce overlying?
Say oh-ver-LY-ing. The American pronunciation is /ˌoʊvɚˈlaɪɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˌəʊvəˈlaɪɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in overlying?
Overlying has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (LY). Broken into parts: oh · ver · LY · ing.
Is overlying 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 /ˌəʊvəˈlaɪɪŋ/ (oh-vuh-LY-ing).