How to pronounce overtone
Say it like OH-ver-tohn. Overtone has three 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 overtone. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- OH
- ver
- tohn
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Overtone 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.
- tohnKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of overtone
- 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".
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: OH-vuh-tohn.
What does overtone mean?
- A tone whose frequency is an integer multiple of another; a member of the harmonic series.
- An implicit message (in a film, book, verbal discussion, or similar) perceived as overwhelming the explicit message.
- An implicit message (in a film, book, verbal discussion, or similar) perceived subtly alongside, but not overwhelming, the explicit message.
- To give an overtone to.
Where does overtone come from?
From over- + tone, calque of German Oberton.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying overtone
How do you pronounce overtone?
Say OH-ver-tohn. The American pronunciation is /ˈoʊvɚtoʊn/. In British English it is /ˈəʊvətəʊn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in overtone?
Overtone has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OH). Broken into parts: OH · ver · tohn.
Is overtone 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 /ˈəʊvətəʊn/ (OH-vuh-tohn).