4 syllables: O, ver, zeal, ous. Stress on zeal.
oh-vur-ZEL-uhs
/ˌoʊvɚˈzɛləs/
Overzealous is pronounced oh-vur-ZEL-uhs (/ˌoʊvɚˈzɛləs/). It has four syllables (O-ver-zeal-ous), with the stress on "zeal". Overzealous describes someone showing excessive or extreme enthusiasm or eagerness, often to an unmerited or impractical degree. It implies a intensity that exceeds reasonable bounds, sometimes resulting in pushiness or overbearing behavior. The term carries a subtle negative connotation when the zeal becomes counterproductive or inappropriate for the situation.
adjectiveOverzealous describes someone showing excessive or extreme enthusiasm or eagerness, often to an unmerited or impractical degree. It implies a intensity that exceeds reasonable bounds, sometimes resulting in pushiness or overbearing behavior. The term carries a subtle negative connotation when the zeal becomes counterproductive or inappropriate for the situation.
"Her overzealous fundraising campaign overwhelmed the donors with constant requests."
"The coach warned that overzealous fans could disrupt the game more than they helped it."
"Officials moderated the protest to avoid being seen as overzealous in enforcing rules."
Break it into three parts: /ˌoʊvər/ + /ˈzɛləs/. Stress falls on the second syllable of zealous: over-VER-zeh-ləs. Start with a rounded, long 'o' as in 'go', then a quick /v/ followed by a schwa in the unstressed second syllable, and a clear /ˈzɛ/ before the final /ləs/. Tip: ensure a light, unstressed first syllable; the emphasis is on /ˈzɛ/, so the second syllable carries the beat before the final /ləs/. IPA: US /ˌoʊvərˈzɛləs/, UK /ˌəʊvəˈzɛləs/.
Common mistakes include stressing the wrong syllable (over-ZEH-ləs instead of o-VER- zeh-ləs) and merging the middle vowels, producing /ˌoʊvɚˈzɛləss/ or /ˌoʊvrˈzɛləs/. Also, keep the final -ous from becoming a separate syllable with a heavy 'oo' sound; avoid pronouncing it as 'over-ZEE-laws' or 'over-ZEL-us'. Correct by keeping the middle /ər/ as a short schwa and keeping the final /əs/ light. Practice with slow syllable-timed speech and listen for the /z/ onset of the stressed syllable.
US: stronger rhotics in 'er' as /ər/ with a clear /r/; stress on 'ze-' as /ˈzɛləs/.UK: non-rhotic tendency; /ər/ becomes a schwa-like /ə/ after non-rhotic consonants, so /ˌəʊvəˈzɛləs/.AU: similar to US but with more clipped vowels in casual speech; /ˈoʊvəzˌɛləz/ in fast speech. In all, the final -ous remains /əs/ rather than /ɒs/; vowel quality can shift slightly with accent.
Two main challenges: the multi-syllable structure with a three-part division and the -zealous segment where English rarely clusters z + el + ous smoothly. The middle /z/ must be clean, not merged with the preceding /r/; the second syllable carries the main stress, which can be misapplied in rapid speech. Also, maintaining a light final /əs/ rather than turning it into /əz/ or /ɪəs/—balanced, quick ending helps clarity.
Focus on the transition from /ˈzɛ/ to /ləs/. Keep the tongue high for the /z/ and move to a relaxed, light /l/ before finishing with the short /əs/. Visualize saying 'zealous' with a bracket around the middle: zɛ-ləs, then prepend 'over' with a non-stressed cue. Pair with a short, almost inaudible ‘er’ in the first two syllables; this precise choreography prevents a smooshed middle sound.
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- US: rhotics are more pronounced; say /ˌoʊvərˈzɛləs/ with a clear /r/. - UK: non-rhotic 'er' becomes /ə/; /ˌəʊvəˈzɛləs/; keep vowel length moderate. - AU: similar to US but with more centralized vowels in casual speech; /ˌoʊvəˈzɛləz/ in fast talk. Reference IPA to match your habit; aim for consistent final /əs/.
Overzealous derives from over- (excessive, beyond) and zealous (full of zeal; eagerly devoted to a cause or objective). Zealous itself comes from the Latin zelosus, via Old French zeleus, from zeal (from Greek zēlos 'ardor, jealousy, envy'). The prefix over- signals excessiveness, intensifying the base meaning. The current form emerged in English by the late Middle Ages as religious and civic fervor intensified; overzealous often described people whose enthusiasm oversteps social bounds or appears intrusive. The word fused into common usage to describe behavior that is beyond what is appropriate or effective, with the negative nuance sharpening as societies valued measured, context-appropriate enthusiasm. First known use attested in the 16th-17th centuries as a compound of over- with zeal/zealous, aligning with similar constructions (overbearing, overindulgent) that describe extremity in attitude or action.
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Words that rhyme with "Overzealous"
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