pronounce

verb

pro·​nounce prə-ˈnau̇n(t)s How to pronounce pronounce (audio)
pronounced; pronouncing
Synonyms of pronouncenext

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 How to pronounce pronounce (audio)
noun
pronounceable
prə-ˈnau̇n(t)-sə-bəl How to pronounce pronounce (audio)
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.
Both David and Shawna were rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026 She was flown by Life Flight to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026 Diguglielmo was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 2 July 2026 The man was transported to Bellevue Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 3 July 2026 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

Phrases Containing pronounce

Rhymes for pronounce

See All Rhymes for pronounce

Browse Nearby Words

pronoun
pronounce
pronounceable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pronounce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pronounce. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on pronounce

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pronounce

Nglish: Translation of pronounce for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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