How to pronounce overtaken
Say it like OH-ver-tay-kun. Overtaken has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce overtaken. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- OH
- ver
- tay
- kun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Overtaken pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- OHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- verKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- tayGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- kunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of overtaken
- 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-tay-kun.
What does overtaken mean?
- past participle of overtake How to pronounce overtake
- Taken by surprise; overcome.“I was overtaken by events.”
Questions about saying overtaken
How do you pronounce overtaken?
Say OH-ver-tay-kun. The American pronunciation is /ˈoʊvɚˌteɪkən/. In British English it is /ˈəʊvəˌteɪkən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in overtaken?
Overtaken has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OH). Broken into parts: OH · ver · tay · kun.
Is overtaken 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 /ˈəʊvəˌteɪkən/ (OH-vuh-tay-kun).