How to pronounce overzealously
Say it like oh-ver-ZEL-us-lee. Overzealously has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (ZEL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce overzealously. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- oh
- ver
- ZEL
- us
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Overzealously 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.
- ZELSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- usKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of overzealously
- 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-ZEL-us-lee.
What does overzealously mean?
- In an overzealous way; with excessive zeal.
Where does overzealously come from?
From overzealous + -ly.
Words that rhyme with overzealously
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of overzealously.
Questions about saying overzealously
How do you pronounce overzealously?
Say oh-ver-ZEL-us-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˌoʊvɚˈzɛləsli/. In British English it is /ˌəʊvəˈzɛləsli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in overzealously?
Overzealously has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (ZEL). Broken into parts: oh · ver · ZEL · us · lee.
Is overzealously 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 /ˌəʊvəˈzɛləsli/ (oh-vuh-ZEL-us-lee).