Definition of pronounce
pronounced
;pronouncing
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
3a : to employ the organs of speech to produce pronounce these words; especially : to say correctly I can't pronounce his nameb : 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 — William Shakespeare
intransitive verb
1 : to pass judgment
2 : to produce the components of spoken language
pronouncer
nounPeople Are Reading
Examples of pronounce in a Sentence
She practices pronouncing foreign words.
I'm sorry. I can't pronounce your name.
The priest pronounced a blessing on their home.
The doctors pronounced him fit to go back to work.
He was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.
Many senators are pronouncing in favor of the bill.
The judge pronounced for the defendant.
Recent Examples of pronounce from the Web
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The man, who police did not publicly identify, was pronounced dead after being transported to a nearby hospital.
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The Navy said the parachutist was pronounced dead at Jersey City Medical Center at 1:10 p.m.
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Yankee orators, soldiers or not, used Memorial Day rhetoric to pronounce their sense of victory over the rebellion and often over slavery.
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The driver was pronounced dead at the scene and has not yet been positively identified.
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Police said the teen was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
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Bergonia was pronounced dead at 10:15 p.m., the release said.
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Rosas, who wasn't using a seat belt, was partially effected from the truck and pronounced dead at the scene, King said.
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The inmate, Tommy Arthur, 75, was pronounced dead after receiving an injection at the state prison in Atmore, Ala., the authorities said.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pronounce'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology 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
PRONOUNCE Defined for English Language Learners
pronounce
playDefinition of pronounce for English Language Learners
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: to make the sound of (a word or letter) with your voice
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: to say or speak (a word) correctly
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: to say or announce (something) in an official or formal way
PRONOUNCE Defined for Kids
pronounce
playDefinition of pronounce for Students
pronounced
;pronouncing
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.
Learn More about pronounce
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Spanish Central: Translation of pronounce Nglish: Translation of pronounce for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of pronounce for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
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