/ prəˈnaʊns; NAmE / verb
1.
[ vn ] to make the sound of a word or letter in a particular way :
Very few people can pronounce my name correctly.
The 'b' in lamb is not pronounced.
—see also pronunciation , unpronounceable
2.
to say or give sth formally, officially or publicly :
[ vn ]
to pronounce an opinion
The judge will pronounce sentence today.
[ vn - n ]
She pronounced him the winner of the competition.
I now pronounce you man and wife (= in a marriage ceremony) .
[ vn - adj ]
She was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
[ vn to inf ]
He pronounced the country to be in a state of war.
[also v that , v speech ]
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PHRASAL VERBS
- pronounce for / against sb
- pronounce on / upon sth
••
WORD FAMILY
pronounce verb
pronunciation noun
unpronounceable adjective
mispronounce verb
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French pronuncier , from Latin pronuntiare , from pro- out, forth + nuntiare announce (from nuntius messenger).