Pronounce
/prəˈnaʊns/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo articulate or utter a word or sound.
/prəˈnaʊns/
To say or speak (a word, phrase, etc.) correctly or in a particular way.
Can you pronounce the word 'onomatopoeia'?
💡 Simply: Imagine you're trying to say a new word, but it sounds tricky! Pronounce means to say the word correctly, so everyone can understand you. It's like when you're learning a secret password.
👶 For kids: To say a word or sound.
More Examples
She pronounced her name clearly.
The actor struggled to pronounce the foreign words in the script.
How It's Used
"He pronounced the word "château" with a French accent."
"The teacher asked the students to practice pronouncing the new vocabulary."
To declare or announce something formally or officially.
/prəˈnaʊns/
To declare formally or officially.
The president pronounced a state of emergency.
💡 Simply: It's like when the referee makes a call in a game, or a judge makes a decision in court. Pronounce means to make an official decision or statement.
👶 For kids: To say something important or official, like when the judge says what happens in court.
More Examples
The doctor pronounced him fit to go home.
The judge pronounced the sentence after the trial.
How It's Used
"The judge pronounced the defendant guilty."
"The priest pronounced the couple man and wife."
To express or declare strongly, often an opinion or emotion.
/prəˈnaʊns/
To express emphatically.
He pronounced his opposition to the new law.
💡 Simply: Think of pronouncing your opinion, like shouting out what you think about something. It's saying something very clearly and strongly.
👶 For kids: To say how you feel about something really strongly.
More Examples
She pronounced her faith in his abilities.
The critic pronounced the film a masterpiece.
How It's Used
"She pronounced her disapproval of the plan."
"He pronounced his love for her."
Synonyms
Articulate
Announce
Declare
Decree
Proclaim
Affirm
Assert
Express
Idioms & expressions
Pronounce dead
To officially declare that someone has died, typically by a medical professional.
"The doctor pronounced the patient dead after trying to resuscitate him."
to pronounce a judgement
To make an official decision or ruling, often in a legal context.
"The judge pronounced a judgement, sentencing the defendant to prison."
From Middle English pronouncen, from Old French prononcier, from Latin prōnūntiāre ('to declare publicly, recite, proclaim'), from prō- ('forth, before') + nūntiāre ('to announce').
The word has been used since the 14th century, originally meaning to declare or proclaim.
Memory tip
Think of the word as a process of making sounds public - like a pronouncement.