First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
pronounce
verb pro·nounce \prə-ˈnau̇n(t)s\
: to make the sound of (a word or letter) with your voice
: to say or speak (a word) correctly
: to say or announce (something) in an official or formal way
pro·nouncedpro·nounc·ing
Full Definition of PRONOUNCE
transitive verb
1
: to declare officially or ceremoniously <the minister pronounced them husband and wife>
2
: to declare authoritatively or as an opinion <doctors pronounced him fit to resume duties>
3
a : to employ the organs of speech to produce <pronounce these words>; especially : to say correctly <I can't pronounce his name> b : to represent in printed characters the spoken counterpart of (an orthographic representation) <both dictionaries pronounce clique the same>
4
: recite <speak the speech, I pray you, as I pronounced it to you — Shakespeare>
intransitive verb
1
: to pass judgment
2
: to produce the components of spoken language
— pro·nounce·abil·i·ty \-ˌnau̇n(t)-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun
— pro·nounce·able \-ˈnau̇n(t)-sə-bəl\ adjective
— pro·nounc·er noun
See pronounce defined for English-language learners
See pronounce defined for kids
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Origin of PRONOUNCE
Middle English, from Anglo-French pronuncier, from Latin pronuntiare, from pro- forth + nuntiare to report, from nuntius messenger — more at pro-
PRONOUNCE Defined for Kids
pronounce
verb pro·nounce \prə-ˈnau̇ns\
pro·nouncedpro·nounc·ing
Definition of PRONOUNCE for Kids
1
: to use the voice to make the sounds of <He practiced pronouncing Spanish words.>
2
: to say correctly <I can't pronounce your name.>
3
: to state in an official or solemn way <The judge pronounced sentence.>
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