pronounce

A2 Topic:Actions & Processes

US /prəˈnaʊns/ UK /pɹəˈnaʊns/ See IPA manual

Freq #7481

Meanings

1

verb
To make the sound of a word or letter.

How do you pronounce this word in English?
2

verb
To state something officially or formally.

The doctor pronounced him fit to return to work.
3

verb
To give a formal judgment or opinion.

The judge pronounced the sentence in a firm voice.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to make the sound of a word... articulate

2 verb · to state something... declare

Word family

Forms pronouncespronouncing

Derived forms mispronounceoverpronouncepronounceabilitypronounceablepronouncedpronouncerpronouncingrepronounceself-pronouncingunpronouncing

Related forms pronouncement pronunciation

Simplified etymology

Pronounce entered English in the late Middle English period and ultimately combines Latin nuntius, “messenger,” with pro-, meaning “out” or “forth.” It shares its root with announce.

Etymology

Recorded since c.1330 as Middle English pronouncen (“to utter, declare officially”), from Old French prononcier, from Latin prōnūntiō, itself from prō- (“forth, out, in public”) + nūntiō (“to announce”) from nūntius (“messenger”).

*per- Proto-Indo-European pronouncen Middle English prononcier Old French prōnūntiō Latin

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Actions & Processes Register & Style

External links

# pronounce

**Type:** Word
**Level:** A2
**Part of speech:** verb
**IPA (US):** /prəˈnaʊns/
**IPA (UK):** /pɹəˈnaʊns/
**Frequency rank:** 7481

## Meanings
1. To make the sound of a word or letter.
2. To state something officially or formally.
3. To give a formal judgment or opinion.

## Examples
- How do you pronounce this word in English?
- The doctor pronounced him fit to return to work.
- The judge pronounced the sentence in a firm voice.

## Derived Forms
- mispronounce
- overpronounce
- pronounceability
- pronounceable
- pronounced
- pronouncer
- pronouncing
- repronounce
- self-pronouncing
- unpronouncing

## Related Forms
- pronouncement
- pronunciation

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: *per-
- Root: pronouncen
- Root: prononcier
- Root: prōnūntiō

## Etymology
Recorded since c.1330 as Middle English pronouncen (“to utter, declare officially”), from Old French prononcier, from Latin prōnūntiō, itself from prō- (“forth, out, in public”) + nūntiō (“to announce”) from nūntius (“messenger”).

## AI Etymology
Pronounce: Recorded since c.1330 as Middle English pronouncen (“to utter, declare officially”), from Old French prononcier, from Latin prōnūntiō, itself from prō- (“forth, out, in public”) + nūntiō (“to announce”) from nūntius (“messenger”). In present-day English it covers to make the sound of a word or letter, to state something officially or formally, and to give a formal judgment or opinion. The wider family includes derived forms such as mispronounce, overpronounce, pronounceability, pronounceable, pronounced and related forms such as pronouncement, pronunciation.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes
- Register & Style

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