How to pronounce overrun
Say it like OH-ver-ruhn. Overrun has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce overrun. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- OH
- ver
- ruhn
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Overrun pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- OHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- verKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- ruhnGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
American vs British pronunciation of overrun
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 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-RUHN.
What does overrun mean?
- To defeat an enemy and invade in great numbers, seizing the enemy positions conclusively.
- To infest, swarm over, flow over.“The cathedral square was overrun with tourists.”
- To run past; to run beyond.“The athlete overran the finish line and kept going.”
- An instance of overrunning.
- A turnover: a break to a new line by text flowing within the column.
- The amount by which something overruns.“At least this year's overrun isn't as unmanageable as last year!”
Where does overrun come from?
From over- + run.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying overrun
How do you pronounce overrun?
Say OH-ver-ruhn. The American pronunciation is /ˈoʊvɚˌrʌn/. In British English it is /ˌəʊvəˈrʌn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in overrun?
Overrun has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OH). Broken into parts: OH · ver · ruhn.
Is overrun pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 3. The British form is /ˌəʊvəˈrʌn/ (oh-vuh-RUHN).