How to pronounce "overcome"

overcome

Noun
American
/ˌoʊvərˈkʌm/

Syllable Breakdown

o ver come

How natives say overcome

British
/ˌəʊvəˈkʌm/

Syllable Breakdown

o ver come

How natives say overcome

Pronunciation Guide In American

Pronunciation Steps

  • Start with 'o' making an 'oh' sound.

  • Pronounce 'ver' with a soft 'v' and clear 'er'.

  • Finish with 'come' sounding like 'kum'.

Common Mistakes

  • o-ver-come (misplacing stress)

  • o-ver-come (incorrect 'o' sound)

  • o-ver-come (unclear 'er')

Pronunciation Guide In British

Pronunciation Steps

  • Same as American

common mistakes

  • Same as American

FAQ

Why is the second syllable stressed?

The word follows a common pattern where 'over' adds emphasis on the next part.

Is the 'o' in 'over' long?

Yes, it is pronounced as a long 'oh' sound in American English and 'əʊ' in British English.

How to avoid confusion with 'come'?

Make sure the 'k' sound is clear and don't stress the 'come' part.

Definition

overcome

To successfully deal with or gain control of a problem.

Word Family

come

/kʌm/

verb

To move towards a place.

Example: Please come here.

over

/ˈoʊvər/

adverb

Above or higher than.

Example: The lamp is over the table.

overcoat

/ˈoʊvərˌkoʊt/

noun

A heavy coat worn over clothes.

Example: Wear your overcoat today.

Key Pronunciation Differences

Overcome vs. come

- 'o-ver' adds a new syllable.

Overcome vs. over

- 'come' changes the stress and length.

Overcome vs. overcoat

- 'come' not 'coat' changes the ending sound.

Pro Tips

Master the Stress

Focus on stressing the second syllable for clear communication.

Vowel Precision

Be precise with 'o' and 'er' sounds to avoid misunderstanding.

Nearby Words

Test Your Pronunciation On Words That Have Sound Similarities With Overcome

adjoin

/əˈdʒɔɪn/

apartment

/əˈpɑrt.mənt/

applicable

/ˈæplɪkəbl̩/

arise

/əˈraɪz/

avenue

/ˈæv.ə.nuː/

backstage

/bækˈsteɪdʒ/

bench

/bɛntʃ/

beside

/bɪˈsaɪd/