pronounce

American  

[pruh-nouns] / prəˈnaʊns /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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)

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of pronounce

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

Example Sentences

Without prompt policy changes, the researchers warn that inequalities in obesity treatment are likely to continue and may become even more pronounced for future generations.

From Science Daily

With Occidental and Meta, not only were their price moves pronounced, but trading volume also was high.

From The Wall Street Journal

These effects were most pronounced in patients with ischemia cardiomyopathy, which is the leading cause of heart failure.

From Science Daily

Allen missed practice Wednesday and Thursday but was on the field Friday and pronounced fit to face the visiting New York Jets on Sunday.

From Barron's

Mr Ghami and Mr Ayodele were both pronounced dead at the scene, while Joshua was pictured being helped from the wreckage.

From BBC

Related Words

• assert
• deliver
• proclaim