pronounce

[pruh-nouns]

verb (used with object)

pronounced, pronouncing 

1. to enunciate or articulate (sounds, words, sentences, etc.).

2. to utter or sound in a particular manner in speaking.

   He pronounces his words indistinctly.

3. to utter or articulate in the accepted or correct manner.

   I can't pronounce this word.

4. to declare (a person or thing) to be as specified.

   She pronounced it the best salmon she had ever tasted.

5. to utter or deliver formally or solemnly.

   to pronounce sentence.

6. to announce authoritatively or officially.

   The judge pronounced the defendant guilty.

7. to indicate the pronunciation of (words) by providing a phonetic transcription.

   This dictionary pronounces most of the words entered.

verb (used without object)

pronounced, pronouncing 

1. to pronounce words, phrases, etc.

2. to make a statement or assertion, especially an authoritative statement (often followed byon ).

   He was required to pronounce on the findings of his research.

3. to give an opinion or decision (usually followed byon ).

   to pronounce on an important matter.

4. to indicate the pronunciation of words.

   a spelling book that pronounces.

pronounce

/ prəˈnaʊns /

verb

1. to utter or articulate (a sound or sequence of sounds)

2. (tr) to utter or articulate (sounds or words) in the correct way

3. (tr; may take a clause as object) to proclaim officially and solemnly

   I now pronounce you man and wife

4. (when tr, may take a clause as object) to declare as one's judgment

   to pronounce the death sentence upon someone

5. (tr) to make a phonetic transcription of (sounds or words)

Other Word Forms

• pronouncer noun
• pronounceable adjective
• pronounceableness noun
• prepronounce verb (used with object)
• unpronounceable adjective
• unpronouncing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pronounce¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English pronouncen, from Middle French prononcier, from Latin prōnūntiāre “to proclaim, announce, recite, utter”; pro- ¹, announce

Word History and Origins

Origin of pronounce¹

C14: from Latin prōnuntiāre to announce, from _pro- ¹ + nuntiāre to announce

Example Sentences

Ms Trujillo was treated by emergency workers and paramedics but was pronounced dead at the scene.

From BBC

Third, there is a pronounced focus throughout the changes on beefing up the economic know-how in 10 Downing Street.

From BBC

Wes said, “If you learned to pronounce people’s names in English, you should teach them how to say your name in Spanish. It’s a beautiful name.”

From Los Angeles Times

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene and the child was given immediate medical care and taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

From Los Angeles Times

The victim, whose name has not yet been released, suffered gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• assert 
• deliver 
• proclaim