How to pronounce overtones
Say it like OH-ver-tohnz. Overtones 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 overtones. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- OH
- ver
- tohnz
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Overtones 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.
- tohnzGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of overtones
- 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-tohnz.
What does overtones mean?
- plural of overtone How to pronounce overtone
- third-person singular simple present indicative of overtone How to pronounce overtone
Questions about saying overtones
How do you pronounce overtones?
Say OH-ver-tohnz. The American pronunciation is /ˈoʊvɚˌtoʊnz/. In British English it is /ˈəʊvəˌtəʊnz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in overtones?
Overtones has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OH). Broken into parts: OH · ver · tohnz.
Is overtones 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 /ˈəʊvəˌtəʊnz/ (OH-vuh-tohnz).