How to pronounce overwrought
Say it like oh-ver-RAWT. Overwrought has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (RAWT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce overwrought. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- oh
- ver
- RAWT
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Overwrought 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.
- RAWTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of overwrought
- 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-RAWT.
What does overwrought mean?
- Excessively nervous, excited, tense, angry, anxious, or upset; overemotional; very uneasy.
- Elaborate; baroque; overdone.
Where does overwrought come from?
Past participle of overwork; equivalent to over- + wrought.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with overwrought
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of overwrought.
Questions about saying overwrought
How do you pronounce overwrought?
Say oh-ver-RAWT. The American pronunciation is /ˌoʊvɚˈrɔt/. In British English it is /əʊvəˈrɔːt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in overwrought?
Overwrought has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (RAWT). Broken into parts: oh · ver · RAWT.
Is overwrought 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 /əʊvəˈrɔːt/ (oh-vuh-RAWT).