How to pronounce overprotective
Say it like oh-ver-pruh-TEK-tiv. Overprotective has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (TEK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce overprotective. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- oh
- ver
- pruh
- TEK
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Overprotective 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.
- pruhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- TEKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of overprotective
- 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-pruh-TEK-tiv.
What does overprotective mean?
- Excessively protective, wanting to give too much protection (especially to children).
Where does overprotective come from?
From over- + protective.
Words that rhyme with overprotective
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of overprotective.
Questions about saying overprotective
How do you pronounce overprotective?
Say oh-ver-pruh-TEK-tiv. The American pronunciation is /ˌoʊvɚprəˈtɛktɪv/. In British English it is /ˌəʊvəprəˈtɛktɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in overprotective?
Overprotective has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (TEK). Broken into parts: oh · ver · pruh · TEK · tiv.
Is overprotective 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 /ˌəʊvəprəˈtɛktɪv/ (oh-vuh-pruh-TEK-tiv).