Basic Details
Word: Pronounce
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: To make the sound of a word or letter in a particular way; also, to declare something officially, as a judge does.
Synonyms: say, utter, declare, announce
Word origin: From Latin pronuntiare, to proclaim.
How to Spell Pronounce
Syllables: pro - nounce
Tricky part: The verb has ou (pronounce), but the noun drops the o: pronunciation. Mixing the two gives pronounciation, a very common slip.
Watch out for: pronunce, pronouce, pronownce
Memory tip: Hold on to the little word noun inside pronounce: pro + noun + ce. You pronounce every noun you read aloud.
Usage Examples
Example 1: Our new teacher asked us how to pronounce the names of the students in her class.
Example 2: Many people find it hard to pronounce the word Worcestershire.
Example 3: The doctor pronounced the patient fit enough to go home.
Fun Fact
The Latin nuntiare, to announce, that sits inside pronounce also appears in announce and denounce.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
pronounece
a) u
b) e
c) o
d) c
Show answer
b) e. The verb ends nounce with a single final e; the e squeezed in before the c is not needed.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word pronounce as used in the sentence:
The judge will pronounce her decision in the case on Monday morning.
a) conceal
b) postpone
c) declare
d) question
Show answer
c) declare. Here pronounce means to state officially, which is exactly what declare means.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the letters in the sentence to form a meaningful word:
Sana could not unrocepon the long name of the Welsh railway station.
a) renounce
b) denounce
c) announce
d) pronounce
Show answer
d) pronounce. The jumble holds a p and an r, and only pronounce of the four words needs both.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which is the correctly spelt noun formed from pronounce?
a) pronounsation
b) pronunciation
c) pronunsiation
d) pronounciation
Show answer
b) pronunciation
2. When a referee pronounces a player out, the referee ____.
a) writes it in a notebook
b) asks the crowd to vote
c) officially says the player is out
d) whispers it to the coach
Show answer
c) officially says the player is out
