How to pronounce overpopulation
Say it like oh-ver-pah-pyuh-LAY-shun. Overpopulation has six syllables, and the main stress falls on the fifth one (LAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce overpopulation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- oh
- ver
- pah
- pyuh
- LAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Overpopulation 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.
- pahGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- pyuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of overpopulation
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: oh-vuh-pop-yuu-LAY-shun.
What does overpopulation mean?
- An excessive number of occupants (people, animals, plants, etc.) in a particular area; specifically, when the number of occupants exceeds the ability of that area to provide for them.
Where does overpopulation come from?
From over- (prefix meaning ‘excessive; excessively’) + population.
Words that rhyme with overpopulation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of overpopulation.
Questions about saying overpopulation
How do you pronounce overpopulation?
Say oh-ver-pah-pyuh-LAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌoʊvɚˌpɑpjəˈleɪʃən/. In British English it is /ˌəʊvəˌpɒpjʊˈleɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in overpopulation?
Overpopulation has six syllables, and the main stress falls on the fifth one (LAY). Broken into parts: oh · ver · pah · pyuh · LAY · shun.
Is overpopulation 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 /ˌəʊvəˌpɒpjʊˈleɪʃən/ (oh-vuh-pop-yuu-LAY-shun).