pronounce

verb

pro·​nounce prə-ˈnau̇n(t)s How to pronounce pronounce (audio)
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
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 youWilliam Shakespeare

intransitive verb

1
: to pass judgment
2
: to produce the components of spoken language
pronounceability noun
pronounceable adjective
pronouncer noun

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 on the Web Despite life-saving efforts, Garcia was pronounced dead at the scene. Coleby Phillips, The Arizona Republic, 5 Mar. 2024 All three of the men were pronounced dead at the scene. Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2024 One woman was later pronounced dead at Mee Memorial Hospital, while three other men were taken to Natividad Hospital in Salinas for medical treatment. Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2024 The driver of the motorcycle, a 26-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2024 Allen and Mac were subsequently pronounced dead, while the officer who was shot in the abdomen was taken to surgery and expected to survive the wounds. Greg Wehner, Fox News, 3 Mar. 2024 The 20-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene from an apparent gunshot wound. Emily Palmer, Peoplemag, 29 Feb. 2024 These resource hurdles can look especially pronounced during challenging macroeconomic climates and an increasingly competitive landscape. Ed MacOsky, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 The student, now confirmed to have been Nex, was pronounced dead at the hospital the next day. Nicole Acosta, Peoplemag, 22 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pronounce.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pronounce was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near pronounce

Cite this Entry

“Pronounce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pronounce. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pronounce

verb
pro·​nounce prə-ˈnau̇n(t)s How to pronounce pronounce (audio)
pronounced; pronouncing
1
: to state in an official or solemn way
I pronounce you husband and wife
the judge pronounced sentence
2
: to give as an opinion
pronounced the party a success
3
a
: to use the voice to make the sounds of
practice pronouncing foreign words
b
: to say or speak correctly
I can't pronounce your name
pronouncer noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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