How to pronounce overpower
Say it like oh-ver-POW-er. Overpower has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (POW).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce overpower. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- oh
- ver
- POW
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Overpower pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- verKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- POWSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of overpower
- American English uses 4 syllables and British English 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-POW.
What does overpower mean?
- To subdue someone by superior force.“We overpowered the opposing army within a couple of hours.”
- To excel or exceed in power; to cause to yield; to subdue.“Bright light overpowers the eyes.”
- To render imperceptible by means of greater strength, intensity, etc.“The dish was OK, but the garlic slightly overpowered the herbs.”
Where does overpower come from?
From over- + power.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with overpower
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of overpower.
Questions about saying overpower
How do you pronounce overpower?
Say oh-ver-POW-er. The American pronunciation is /oʊvɚˈpaʊɚ/. In British English it is /əʊvəˈpaʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in overpower?
Overpower has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (POW). Broken into parts: oh · ver · POW · er.
Is overpower pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. American English uses 4 syllables and British English 3. The British form is /əʊvəˈpaʊ/ (oh-vuh-POW).