# pronunciation

/pɹəˌnənsiˈeɪʃən/ (US) · /pɹənˌʌnsɪˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pronunciation
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. how a word sounds

noun · CEFR A2

the way you say a word so that it sounds correct.

For teachers: the specific manner in which a word is articulated, including stress, rhythm, and intonation.

- You can listen to the online dictionary to check the pronunciation of the word.
- The student's pronunciation was remarkably accurate, though he still struggled with the subtle distinction between certain vowel sounds.

Usage: Often used with the verbs 'improve', 'check', or 'practice'.

### 2. the act of speaking

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

the act of making the sounds of a language.

For teachers: the physical and phonological act of uttering sounds or words.

- Clear pronunciation is more important than having a perfect accent.
- The teacher focused on the pronunciation of consonant clusters, which many learners find physically challenging to produce.

Usage: Uncountable in this sense.

## Examples

- Her English pronunciation is very clear.
- The teacher corrected my pronunciation of the word 'schedule' during the speaking exercise.
- Regional accents often lead to variations in pronunciation that can challenge learners who are only familiar with a standard dialect.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.