How to pronounce overreactive
Say it like oh-ver-ree-AK-tiv. Overreactive has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (AK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce overreactive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- oh
- ver
- ree
- AK
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Overreactive 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 relaxed "uh" in about.
- reeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- AKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of overreactive
- 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-ree-AK-tiv.
What does overreactive mean?
- Too reactive; tending to overreact.“overreactive parenting”
Where does overreactive come from?
From over- + reactive.
Words that rhyme with overreactive
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of overreactive.
- attractive
- interactive
- radioactive
- inactive
- proactive
- unattractive
- retroactive
- refractive
- psychoactive
- hyperactive
Questions about saying overreactive
How do you pronounce overreactive?
Say oh-ver-ree-AK-tiv. The American pronunciation is /ˌoʊvərriˈæktɪv/. In British English it is /ˌəʊvəriˈæktɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in overreactive?
Overreactive has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (AK). Broken into parts: oh · ver · ree · AK · tiv.
Is overreactive 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 /ˌəʊvəriˈæktɪv/ (oh-vuh-ree-AK-tiv).