How to pronounce overspecialize
Say it like oh-ver-SPESH-uh-lyze. Overspecialize has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (SPESH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce overspecialize. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- oh
- ver
- SPESH
- uh
- lyze
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Overspecialize 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.
- SPESHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- lyzeGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of overspecialize
- 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-SPESH-uh-lyze.
What does overspecialize mean?
- To specialize to an excessive degree.
Where does overspecialize come from?
From over- + specialize.
Questions about saying overspecialize
How do you pronounce overspecialize?
Say oh-ver-SPESH-uh-lyze. The American pronunciation is /ˌoʊvɚˈspɛʃəˌlaɪz/. In British English it is /ˌəʊvəˈspɛʃəˌlaɪz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in overspecialize?
Overspecialize has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (SPESH). Broken into parts: oh · ver · SPESH · uh · lyze.
Is overspecialize 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 /ˌəʊvəˈspɛʃəˌlaɪz/ (oh-vuh-SPESH-uh-lyze).