How to pronounce overstate
Say it like oh-ver-STAYT. Overstate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (STAYT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce overstate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- oh
- ver
- STAYT
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Overstate 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.
- STAYTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of overstate
- 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-STAYT.
What does overstate mean?
- To state or claim too much.
- To exaggerate; to state or claim to a greater degree than reality.“I think it is overstating matters to say that an hour online is spending all night on the computer.”
Where does overstate come from?
From over- + state.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with overstate
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of overstate.
Questions about saying overstate
How do you pronounce overstate?
Say oh-ver-STAYT. The American pronunciation is /ˌoʊvɚˈsteɪt/. In British English it is /ˌəʊvəˈsteɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in overstate?
Overstate has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (STAYT). Broken into parts: oh · ver · STAYT.
Is overstate 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 /ˌəʊvəˈsteɪt/ (oh-vuh-STAYT).