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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Officers realized the man was not responsive, and he was later pronounced dead, according to police. Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 14 Nov. 2024 The dirt bike driver, whose identity has not been released as officials work to notify their family, was pronounced dead at the scene. Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 13 Nov. 2024 The impact launched White off of his bicycle and into a fence, and doctors pronounced him dead at a nearby hospital. Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 7 Nov. 2024 Mustapha was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police. Nour Rahal, Detroit Free Press, 7 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pronounce 

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 29 Nov. 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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