How to pronounce overshadow
Say it like oh-ver-SHAD-oh. Overshadow has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (SHAD).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce overshadow. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- oh
- ver
- SHAD
- oh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Overshadow 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.
- SHADSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- ohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of overshadow
- 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-SHAD-oh.
What does overshadow mean?
- To obscure something by casting a shadow.
- To dominate something and make it seem insignificant.
- To shelter or protect.
Where does overshadow come from?
From Middle English overschadwen, overschadewe, from Old English ofersċeadwian (“to overshadow”), equivalent to over- + shadow.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with overshadow
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of overshadow.
Questions about saying overshadow
How do you pronounce overshadow?
Say oh-ver-SHAD-oh. The American pronunciation is /ˌoʊvɚˈʃædoʊ/. In British English it is /ˌəʊvəˈʃædəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in overshadow?
Overshadow has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (SHAD). Broken into parts: oh · ver · SHAD · oh.
Is overshadow 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 /ˌəʊvəˈʃædəʊ/ (oh-vuh-SHAD-oh).