How to pronounce oversimplify
Say it like oh-ver-SIM-plih-fy. Oversimplify has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (SIM).
VoiceSpeed
US American/oʊvɚˈsɪmplɪˌfaɪ/oh-ver-SIM-plih-fy
UK British/əʊvəˈsɪmplɪˌfaɪ/oh-vuh-SIM-plih-fy
- oh
- ver
- SIM
- plih
- fy
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Oversimplify pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- verKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- SIMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- plihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- fyGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of oversimplify
- 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-SIM-plih-fy.
What does oversimplify mean?
verb
- To explain or present something in a way that excludes important information for the sake of brevity, or of making the explanation or presentation easy to understand.
Where does oversimplify come from?
From over- + simplify.
Questions about saying oversimplify
How do you pronounce oversimplify?
Say oh-ver-SIM-plih-fy. The American pronunciation is /oʊvɚˈsɪmplɪˌfaɪ/. In British English it is /əʊvəˈsɪmplɪˌfaɪ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in oversimplify?
Oversimplify has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (SIM). Broken into parts: oh · ver · SIM · plih · fy.
Is oversimplify 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 /əʊvəˈsɪmplɪˌfaɪ/ (oh-vuh-SIM-plih-fy).