pronounce

pronounce — verb

1. to speak a word, letter, or name using your mouth and voice, especially in the c

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB1
Definition

to speak a word, letter, or name using your mouth and voice, especially in the correct manner

Example

When Inês first learned French, she could not pronounce the letter 'r' correctly.

pattern: pronounce + letter + adverb (correctly)

The teacher asked Reuben to pronounce 'thorough' slowly for the rest of the class.

Common collocations
  • pronounce correctly
  • pronounce clearly
  • pronounce a word
  • pronounce a name
  • pronounce a letter
  • hard to pronounce
  • easy to pronounce
Synonyms
  • say

    more general; 'say' does not focus on the physical act of producing a particular sound the way 'pronounce' does

  • utter

    more formal; 'utter' emphasises the act of producing sound, not necessarily the correct form of a word

  • articulate

    emphasises clear, distinct speech; often used when someone speaks each part of a word separately

Antonyms
  • mumble

    to speak unclearly, without separating sounds

  • mispronounce

    to say a word in the wrong way

Grammar Patterns

pronounce + word/letter/sound

pronounce + word/letter/sound + adverb (correctly, slowly, clearly)

Usage Note

This sense can be used transitively (pronounce a word) or intransitively (How do you pronounce?). The supporting adverb of manner — correctly, clearly, slowly — is very common and helps specify the quality of the sound.

Common Mistakes

I cannot pronounciate this word.
I cannot pronounce this word.
'pronunciate' is not a standard English word; use 'pronounce' instead.
She pronounciated the name wrong.
She pronounced the name wrong.
The past tense is 'pronounced', not 'pronunciated'.

2. to make a formal or official statement about something, especially a judgment, o

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to make a formal or official statement about something, especially a judgment, opinion, or decision — for example, pronouncing a couple married, a patient dead, or a defendant guilty

Example

The head doctor pronounced the patient dead after all attempts to revive her failed.

passive structure: patient was pronounced dead (common in medical contexts)

After a short trial, Judge Heather pronounced a sentence of five years in prison.

Common collocations
  • pronounce dead
  • pronounce guilty
  • pronounce fit
  • pronounce someone dead on arrival
  • pronounce sentence
Synonyms
  • declare

    similar formality, but 'declare' is broader and can be used in non-legal contexts

  • proclaim

    more public and ceremonial; often implies an announcement to many people

  • rule

    specific to legal or authoritative decisions; often used in court contexts

Antonyms
  • retract

    to take back a formal statement that was made

  • withhold

    to refuse to give a judgment or opinion

Grammar Patterns

pronounce + object + noun/adjective

pronounce + that-clause

Usage Note

Frequently used in passive structures ('was pronounced dead', 'was pronounced guilty'). The subject is typically an authority figure such as a judge, doctor, or official. The pattern 'pronounce + object + adjective' is the most common: the adjective describes the state or quality of the object.

Common Mistakes

The manager pronounced the meeting over.
The manager declared the meeting over.
'Pronounce' in this sense implies official or legal authority; 'declare' is more appropriate for everyday workplace announcements.
Phrasal verbs

pronounce on

phrasal verb

To give a formal or official opinion about something.

The judge will pronounce on the case next Monday.

Has the committee pronounced on your proposal yet?

pronounce upon

phrasal verb

To give a formal or official opinion about something.

The expert refused to pronounce upon the painting's authenticity.

When will the board pronounce upon the new policy?

Word family

  • pronunciation
    nounB1
  • mispronounce
    verbB2
  • pronounced
    adjectiveB2
  • pronouncement
    nounC1
  • pronounceable
    adjectiveC1
  • mispronunciation
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

'Say' is the most general verb — it means to speak words without focusing on how they sound ('She said her name quietly'). 'Pronounce' is more specific: it refers to producing the sounds of a word or letter in a particular way, often with attention to correct form ('He cannot pronounce the French 'u' sound'). 'Utter' is more formal and focuses on the act of making a sound with the voice, but not necessarily on correctness ('The prisoner did not utter a single word during the hearing'). 'Articulate' emphasises clarity and separation of sounds or syllables ('The news anchor articulates every word with great care'). Choose 'say' for simple speech, 'pronounce' for sound accuracy, 'utter' for formal vocalization, and 'articulate' when clear, distinct delivery matters.

say ↗utter ↗articulate ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • pronounce someone dead
  • pronounce someone guilty
  • pronounce a couple married

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

'Pronounce' comes from the Latin verb 'pronuntiare', meaning 'to proclaim' or 'to announce'. This was formed by combining 'pro-' ('forth, forward') and 'nuntiare' ('to report, announce'). Later, it passed through Old French 'pronuncier' before entering Middle English as 'pronouncen'. The two modern senses — making speech sounds (sense 1) and making an official statement (sense 2) — both connect back to this idea of 'bringing a sound or message forth publicly'.