pronounce

verb

pro·​nounce prə-ˈnau̇n(t)s 

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 you

—William Shakespeare

intransitive verb

1

: to pass judgment

2

: to produce the components of spoken language

pronounceability

prə-ˌnau̇n(t)-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

pronounceable

prə-ˈnau̇n(t)-sə-bəl 

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

Moreno was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash about 12:45 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15. —Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Feb. 2025

The two were taken to a hospital where Luis was pronounced dead, according to officials. —Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 18 Feb. 2025

Susan, 59, was eventually extracted from the vehicle and transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead, the sheriff's office said. —Abigail Adams, People.com, 18 Feb. 2025

Additionally, a 54-year-old woman and a 90-year-old woman were both taken to hospitals where they were pronounced deceased, according to police. —Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2025

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

Phrases Containing pronounce

• pronounce sentence

Kids Definition

pronounce

verb

pro·​nounce prə-ˈnau̇n(t)s 

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