pronounce

To pronounce is to say a word a certain way, to hand down a judgment or to formally announce something.

(verb)

  1. An example of pronounce is when you say the word "drawer" with a New York accent.
  2. An example of pronounce is when a jury declares someone guilty.
  3. An example of pronounce is when a priest declares a couple man and wife.

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See pronounce in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb pronounced, pronouncing

  1. to say or declare officially, solemnly, or with ceremony: to pronounce a couple man and wife
  2. to announce or declare (someone or something) to be as specified: to pronounce a man guilty
    1. to articulate (a sound or word); utter the sounds of
    2. to articulate (a word or syllable) in the accepted manner: how do you pronounce your family name?
    3. to indicate the pronunciation of (a word) with symbols

Origin: ME pronouncen < OFr pronuncier < L pronuntiare < pro-, before + nuntiare, to announce < nuntius, messenger: see pro- & nuncio

intransitive verb

  1. to state or pass a judgment; make a pronouncement (on)
  2. to pronounce words, syllables, etc.

Related Forms:

See pronounce in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb pro·nounced, pro·nounc·ing, pro·nounc·es
verb, transitive
  1. a. To use the organs of speech to make heard (a word or speech sound); utter.
    b. To say clearly, correctly, or in a given manner: learning to pronounce French; pronounced my name wrong.
  2. To represent (a word) in phonetic symbols.
  3. To declare officially or formally: pronounced the legislature to be in session; was pronounced dead on arrival.
verb, intransitive
  1. To say words; speak.
  2. To declare one's opinion; make a pronouncement: pronouncing on the issues of the day.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English pronouncen

Origin: , from Old French prononcier

Origin: , from Latin prōnūntiāre

Origin: : prō-, forth; see pro-1

Origin: + nūntiāre, to announce (from nūntius, messenger; see neu- in Indo-European roots)

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Related Forms:

  • pro·nounceˈa·ble adjective
  • pro·nouncˈer noun

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