Pronounced
/prəˈnaʊnst/
adjectiveverbB2past tense, past participle
Definition
As an adjective, "pronounced" describes something that is very clear, strong, or obvious. For example, a pronounced difference means a clear and easy-to-see difference. As a verb (past tense of "pronounce"), it means to say a word or sound aloud in a particular way.
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See It in Action
Adjective: Very clear or strong; easy to notice
- •There is a pronounced difference between the two colors.
- •His accent became more pronounced after living abroad.
- •The pain was pronounced and did not go away.
Verb (past tense/past participle): Said a word or sound aloud
- •She pronounced the word correctly on the test.
- •The teacher pronounced each letter slowly for the students.
- •He pronounced his name clearly to the new friends.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "pronounced" like "clear" (A1 word), but stronger and more obvious—something you cannot miss
- ✓Picture a sign with big letters that stand out very clearly in front of you
- ✓It's the feeling when you notice something immediately because it is very strong or obvious
- ✓Sounds like "pro-NOUNCED" → imagine a teacher clearly saying a word (pronounce) very carefully and loudly
- ✓Think of a time when someone said your name clearly and loudly so everyone heard it—that is "pronounced" as a verb
- ✓NOT like "slight" or "small" (weak or hard to see), "pronounced" means strong and easy to notice
- ✓NOT like "mumbled" or "quietly said," "pronounced" as a verb means said clearly and correctly
Try Other Words
- •Obvious: very easy to see or understand (Use when you want to say something cannot be missed)
- •Distinct: clearly different or separate (Use when comparing two things that are easy to tell apart)
- •Articulated: spoken clearly and carefully (Use when talking about how words are said aloud)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "pro-" (forward, before) + "nounce" (from Latin "nuntiare," meaning to announce or tell)
- •Etymology: From Latin "pronuntiare," meaning to announce or speak publicly
- •Historical development: Originally meant to say or announce clearly; later also used as an adjective to describe something very clear or strong
- •Modern usage: Used as a verb for saying words aloud and as an adjective to describe something obvious or strong in feeling or appearance
Reflect & Connect
•How does the way we pronounce words affect how others understand us?
•Can something be too pronounced? When might being too obvious be a problem?
Fill in the blanks
1.The difference between the two flavors was so pronounced that I could ___ it immediately.
2.She pronounced the difficult word ___ so everyone in the class could understand.
3.When his accent became more pronounced, some people found it ___ to understand him.
4.A pronounced change in weather often ___ people to prepare differently.
5.Unlike a quiet whisper, the teacher pronounced the instructions ___ and clearly.
6.You can tell the idea is important because the speaker made it very ___.
7.The pain was pronounced, so the doctor asked many questions about its ___ and ___.