pronunciation

noun

pro·​nun·​ci·​a·​tion prə-ˌnən(t)-sē-ˈā-shən 

 also nonstandard  -ˌnau̇n(t)-

: the act or manner of pronouncing something

pronunciational

prə-ˌnən(t)-sē-ˈā-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

adjective

Did you know?

Is it 'pronunciation' or 'pronounciation'?

Among the various letters and emails we receive from correspondents asking for pronunciation help are a number in which pronunciation is spelled pronounciation. The confusion is understandable: the verb is pronounce, so why shouldn’t the noun be pronounciation? Both the noun and verb come ultimately from the Latin verb pronuntiare. But when the Latin verb was taken into Anglo-French and later entered Middle English, that second vowel was sometimes rendered as -u- and sometimes rendered as -ou-. This means that, from about the 1500s onward, we see evidence of both pronounciation and pronunciation in the written record. Eventually, the noun standardized to pronunciation, but because of influence from pronounce, we occasionally still see pronounciation in print, and encounter a corresponding pronunciation for pronounciation (\pruh-nown-see-AY-shun\). These facts notwithstanding, the pronounciation spelling and the pronunciation that goes with it are not considered a part of standard English, and may open one criticism or questioning.

Examples of pronunciation in a Sentence

What is the correct pronunciation of his name?

I haven't learned proper pronunciation of French words.

Recent Examples on the Web

Bray recorded his conversations with players, analyzing their vowel shifts and pronunciation. —Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 12 Feb. 2025

The curriculum even incorporates speech recognition technology to improve pronunciation and personalized review sessions to reinforce learning. —Stackcommerce Team (sponsored), PCMAG, 27 Jan. 2025

At one point, Jeff has the audacity to comment on Manchi’s English pronunciation when his Spanish is nonexistent, for example. —Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 3 Feb. 2025

David Crystal, a linguist who specializes in 15th-century pronunciation, played a key role in determining how the king spoke. —Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pronunciacion, from Anglo-French pronunciation, from Latin pronuntiation-, pronuntiatio, from pronuntiare

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pronunciation

• spelling pronunciation

Rhymes for pronunciation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Video

'Mispronunciations' That May Be Fine

'Mischievous,' 'nuclear,' and other words to pronounce with caution.

Kids Definition

pronunciation

noun

pro·​nun·​ci·​a·​tion prə-ˌnən(t)-sē-ˈā-shən 

: the act or way of pronouncing a word or words