American English

How to pronounce oversubscribe

verbC1
ohversuhbSKRAIB

/ˌoʊ.vɚ.səbˈskɹaɪb̚/

4 syllables · Stress the fourth syllable.

To have demand for something exceed the number of places, shares, or units available.

What to listen for

The strongest stress is on the final syllable: oversubscribe (/ˌoʊ.vɚ.səbˈskɹaɪb̚/).

Practice out loud

Meanings & examples

verbless common

To have demand for something exceed the number of places, shares, or units available.

The share issue was oversubscribed.

Good to know

Often used in the passive: an oversubscribed course has more applicants than places.

Common phrases & grammar

oversubscribe a share issue · an oversubscribed course