Pronounce

Pronunciation

• GenAm IPA: /pɹəˈnaÊŠns/
• Rhymes: -aÊŠns

Origin

Recorded since c.1330, "to utter, declare officially", from Old French pronuncier, from Latin prōnūntiō, itself from prō- ("forth, out, in public") + nūntiō ("I announce") from nūntius ("messenger").

Full definition of pronounce

Verb

1. (transitive) To formally declare, officially or ceremoniously.
• 1918, W. B. Maxwell, The Mirror and the Lamp Chapter 5, Then everybody once more knelt, and soon the blessing was pronounced. The choir and the clergy trooped out slowly, …, down the nave to the western door. … At a seemingly immense distance the surpliced group stopped to say the last prayer.
2. I hereby pronounce you man and wife.
3. (intransitive) To pass judgment.
   The judge pronounced often before, but never so widely press-attended.
4. (transitive) To sound out (a word or phrase); to articulate.
• 1869, Mark Twain, The Innocents Abroad, page 182:They spell it "Vinci" and pronounce it "Vinchy". Foreigners always spell better than they pronounce.
5. (intransitive) To produce the components of speech.
   Actors must be able to pronounce perfectly or deliberately disabled.
6. (transitive) To declare authoritatively, or as a formal expert opinion.
   The doctor pronounced them legally dead.
7. (transitive) To read aloud.

Derived terms

• pronounceable
• pronounced
• pronouncer
• pronouncing

Related terms

• pronouncement
• pronunciation