How to pronounce oversensitive
Say it like oh-ver-SEN-suh-tiv. Oversensitive has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (SEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce oversensitive. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- oh
- ver
- SEN
- suh
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Oversensitive 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.
- SENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of oversensitive
- 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".
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: oh-vuh-SEN-suh-tiv.
What does oversensitive mean?
- Having excessive sensitivity; reacting to stimuli too readily; thin-skinned.
Where does oversensitive come from?
From over- + sensitive.
Words that rhyme with oversensitive
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of oversensitive.
Questions about saying oversensitive
How do you pronounce oversensitive?
Say oh-ver-SEN-suh-tiv. The American pronunciation is /ˌoʊvɚˈsɛnsətɪv/. In British English it is /ˌəʊvəˈsɛnsətɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in oversensitive?
Oversensitive has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (SEN). Broken into parts: oh · ver · SEN · suh · tiv.
Is oversensitive 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 /ˌəʊvəˈsɛnsətɪv/ (oh-vuh-SEN-suh-tiv).