pronounce

pro·nounce

verb \prə-ˈnau̇n(t)s\

pro·nouncedpro·nounc·ing

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

Examples of PRONOUNCE

1. She practices pronouncing foreign words.
2. I'm sorry. I can't pronounce your name.
3. The priest pronounced a blessing on their home.
4. The doctors pronounced him fit to go back to work.
5. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.
6. Many senators are pronouncing in favor of the bill.
7. The judge pronounced for the defendant.

Origin of PRONOUNCE

Middle English, from Anglo-French pronuncier, from Latin pronuntiare, from pro- forth + nuntiare to report, from nuntius messenger — more at pro-

First Known Use: 14th century