pronounce
Definitions
To make the sound of a word or letter in a particular way
发音，念（出）
To declare or state something formally and officially
（正式）宣告，宣布，断言
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedpro- (out, forward) + nounce (from nūntiāre, 'to speak/report'). To pronounce is to speak words *out*. English kept two threads from this: the phonetic 'how you say a word,' and the formal 'to declare officially' (a judge pronounces sentence, a doctor pronounces someone dead).
Root nounc still carries 10 more wordsWhy It Means This
Why does one word mean both 'say a word correctly' and 'declare officially'? Both grow from the same root sense: nūntiāre is to utter a message out loud. When you pronounce a word, you're uttering its sounds; when a judge pronounces a verdict, the judge is uttering an official message. The shared image is the mouth delivering something that becomes 'real' once spoken.
Usage Guide
- Phonetic sense (everyday): pronounce a word, pronounce a name — about saying sounds.
- Formal/legal sense: pronounce sentence, pronounce a verdict, pronounce someone dead/guilty — to declare officially.
- Note the spelling trap: the verb is pronounce, but the noun drops the 'o' — pronunciation, NOT 'pronounciation' (a very common misspelling).
Example Sentences
- 1.
How do you pronounce this word? I keep getting it wrong.
- 2.
Many people can't pronounce her name correctly.
- 3.
The judge will pronounce sentence tomorrow morning.
- 4.
The doctor pronounced him dead at the scene.