pronunciation
noun
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Is it 'pronunciation' or 'pronounciation'?
Among the various letters and emails we receive from correspondents asking for pronunciation help are a number in which pronunciation is spelled pronounciation. The confusion is understandable: the verb is pronounce, so why shouldn’t the noun be pronounciation? Both the noun and verb come ultimately from the Latin verb pronuntiare. But when the Latin verb was taken into Anglo-French and later entered Middle English, that second vowel was sometimes rendered as -u- and sometimes rendered as -ou-. This means that, from about the 1500s onward, we see evidence of both pronounciation and pronunciation in the written record. Eventually, the noun standardized to pronunciation, but because of influence from pronounce, we occasionally still see pronounciation in print, and encounter a corresponding pronunciation for pronounciation (\pruh-nown-see-AY-shun\). These facts notwithstanding, the pronounciation spelling and the pronunciation that goes with it are not considered a part of standard English, and may open one criticism or questioning.
Examples of pronunciation in a Sentence
Holly Garcia, Parents, 8 Apr. 2025
The Atlanta rapper promised clearer pronunciation on his forthcoming album Uy Scuti after a fan misquoted his lyrics in their new back tattoo.
—Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 8 Apr. 2025
When Glaser made the joke about Sandler and Chalamet at the Golden Globes, Sandler got involved with teasing the Wonka star by putting his own spin on the pronunciation of his name when the camera cut to him.
—Becca Longmire, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025
During the sixth round, there were long dramatic pauses and time seemed to stand still as spellers asked for detailed definitions, and pronunciation of words before attempting to spell it out.
—Clara-Sophia Daly, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pronunciation
Video
'Mispronunciations' That May Be Fine
'Mischievous,' 'nuclear,' and other words to pronounce with caution.
Cite this Entry
“Pronunciation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pronunciation. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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pronunciation
noun
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