pronounce

[ pruh-nouns ]

verb (used with object)

, pro·nounced, pro·nounc·ing.

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)

, pro·nounced, pro·nounc·ing.

1. to pronounce words, phrases, etc.
2. to make a statement or assertion, especially an authoritative statement (often followed by on ):

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

3. to give an opinion or decision (usually followed by on ):

   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)

Derived Forms

• proˈnouncer, noun
• proˈnounceable, adjective

Other Words From

• pro·nouncea·ble adjective
• pro·nouncea·ble·ness noun
• pro·nouncer noun
• prepro·nounce verb (used with object) prepronounced prepronouncing
• unpro·nouncea·ble adjective
• unpro·nouncing 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

Both were pronounced dead at the scene after first responders attempted lifesaving measures.

From Los Angeles Times

He took her to an emergency room where she was pronounced dead.

From BBC

This becomes more pronounced as they grow older.

From Science Daily

After Orange County sheriff’s deputies and firefighter paramedics responded, one worker was hospitalized at a local trauma center and a second was pronounced dead at the scene, fire officials said.

From Los Angeles Times

The Young Turks have a largely male audience, and as progressive as the channel's voices may imagine themselves to be, there's a pronounced tendency toward the view that women are implicated in men's problems.

From Salon

Related Words

• assert
• deliver
• proclaim