pronounce

[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.
verb (used without object), pronounced, pronouncing.
8.
to pronounce words, phrases, etc.
9.
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.
10.
to give an opinion or decision (usually followed by on):
to pronounce on an important matter.
11.
to indicate the pronunciation of words:
a spelling book that pronounces.
Origin
1300-50; Middle English pronouncen < Middle French prononcier < Latin prōnūntiāre to proclaim, announce, recite, utter. See pro-1, announce
Related forms
pronounceable, adjective
pronounceableness, noun
pronouncer, noun
prepronounce, verb (used with object), prepronounced, prepronouncing.
unpronounceable, adjective
unpronouncing, adjective
Can be confused
announce, enunciate, pronounce (see synonym study at announce)
Examples from the web for pronounce
  • The guide includes a form for listing difficult to pronounce names and words.
  • To lump all complementary cancer treatments into the same category and pronounce them useless is simple-minded.
  • Television reporters and newscasters usually pronounce these vowels, as do speakers in formal situations.
  • One would think that the affinities would pronounce themselves with a surer reciprocity.
  • Astrophysicists say what they think, they never pronounce dogmatically from on high, and should never be read as if they are.
  • They pronounce the no-frills spot pretty but touristy.
  • We begin with a comical attempt to get him to pronounce my name correctly, which takes about a minute, and never quite succeeds.
  • Cutler didn't know how to pronounce the big receiver's name, using only his initials, but he was calling for him.
  • Readers can point at a written word and have the machine pronounce it.
  • Too often, the call is to an ex, usually to pronounce loudly that the caller is over the breakup.
British Dictionary definitions for pronounce

pronounce

/prəˈnaʊns/
verb
1.
to utter or articulate (a sound or sequence of sounds)
2.
(transitive) to utter or articulate (sounds or words) in the correct way
3.
(transitive; may take a clause as object) to proclaim officially and solemnly: I now pronounce you man and wife
4.
(when transitive, may take a clause as object) to declare as one's judgment: to pronounce the death sentence upon someone
5.
(transitive) to make a phonetic transcription of (sounds or words)
Derived Forms
pronounceable, adjective
pronouncer, noun
Word Origin
C14: from Latin prōnuntiāre to announce, from pro-1 + nuntiāre to announce
Word Origin and History for pronounce
v.

early 14c., "to declare officially;" late 14c., "to speak, utter," from Old French prononcier "declare, speak out, pronounce" (late 13c., Modern French prononcer), from Late Latin pronunciare, from Latin pronuntiare "to proclaim, announce; pronounce, utter," from pro- "forth, out, in public" (see pro-) + nuntiare "announce," from nuntius "messenger" (see nuncio). With reference to the mode of sounding words or languages, it is attested from 1620s (but cf. pronunciation in this sense early 15c.). Related: Pronounced; pronouncing.