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

• pronounceable adjective
• pronounceableness noun
• pronouncer 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

“Labor hoarding was especially pronounced in higher-wage jobs, where employees are harder to find and therefore more costly to lose,” he said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

We should nurture them as an occasionally irresponsible group that can go against the grain of society and pronounce hard truths.

Read more on Salon

These effects were most pronounced among Black participants, whose communities often face higher levels of environmental and socioeconomic strain.

Read more on Science Daily

"I'm not a doctor, I'm a medic, so I couldn't pronounce him dead," he said.

Read more on BBC

Light and fluffy, the rum flavor was pronounced.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• assert 
• deliver 
• proclaim