pronounce

/prəˈnaʊns/

/prəˈnaʊns/

Other forms: pronounced; pronouncing; pronounces

If you have a teacher who asks the class to call him "Mr. B," it's probably because his name is really hard to pronounce. When you pronounce a word, you sound it out.

When you say something in a particular way, you pronounce it. The verb pronounce has another meaning, too — "to declare formally." It's not too different from announcing something, but it implies something more official and solemn — just think of the phrase "I now pronounce you husband and wife."

Definitions of pronounce

1. verb

   speak, pronounce, or utter in a certain way
   “She pronounces French words in a funny way”

   synonyms: articulate, enounce, enunciate, say, sound out

   types:

   twang

   pronounce with a nasal twang

   devoice

   utter with tense vocal chords

   raise

   pronounce (vowels) by bringing the tongue closer to the roof of the mouth

   lilt

   articulate in a very careful and rhythmic way

   palatalise, palatalize

   pronounce a consonant with the tongue against the palate

   nasalise, nasalize

   pronounce with a lowered velum

   nasalise, nasalize

   speak nasally or through the nose

   mispronounce, misspeak

   pronounce a word incorrectly

   aspirate

   pronounce with aspiration; of stop sounds

   sound, vocalise, vocalize, voice

   utter with vibrating vocal chords

   retroflex

   articulate (a consonant) with the tongue curled back against the palate

   subvocalise, subvocalize

   articulate without making audible sounds

   syllabise, syllabize

   utter with distinct articulation of each syllable

   drawl

   lengthen and slow down or draw out

   labialise, labialize, round

   pronounce with rounded lips

   lisp

   speak with a lisp

   accent, accentuate, stress

   put stress on; utter with an accent

   vocalise, vocalize, vowelise, vowelize

   pronounce as a vowel

   click

   produce a click

   trill

   pronounce with a trill, of the phoneme `r'

   sibilate

   pronounce with an initial sibilant

   flap

   pronounce with a flap, of alveolar sounds

   explode

   cause to burst as a result of air pressure; of stop consonants like /p/, /t/, and /k/

   roll

   pronounce with a roll, of the phoneme /r/

   chirk

   make a shrill creaking, squeaking, or noise, as of a door, mouse, or bird

   quaver, waver

   give off unsteady sounds, alternating in amplitude or frequency
2. verb

   pronounce judgment on
   synonyms: judge, label

   types:

   acquit, assoil, clear, discharge, exculpate, exonerate

   pronounce not guilty of criminal charges

   convict

   find or declare guilty

   tout

   advertise in strongly positive terms

   find, rule

   decide on and make a declaration about

   qualify

   pronounce fit or able

   disqualify

   declare unfit

   intonate, intone

   speak carefully, as with rising and falling pitch or in a particular tone

   vindicate

   clear of accusation, blame, suspicion, or doubt with supporting proof

   whitewash

   exonerate by means of a perfunctory investigation or through biased presentation of data

   purge

   clear of a charge

   reconvict

   convict anew

   capacitate

   make legally capable or qualify in law

   recuse

   disqualify oneself (as a judge) in a particular case

   disbar

   remove from the bar; expel from the practice of law by official action

   type of:

   adjudge, declare, hold

   declare to be