Sound out

verb

To say the sounds that form a word, one by one, in order to understand or make someone understand how a word is pronounced.

He found it difficult to sound out the complex scientific names in the textbook.
Visual representation of "sound out" - To say the sounds that form a word, one by one, in order to understand or make someone understand how a word is pronounced.

Often appears as...

  • sound out words
  • sound out syllables

Usage tips

Academic

verb

To discreetly find out someone's opinions or intentions on a particular matter.

Before making the announcement, the principal decided to sound out the teachers on the new policy.
Visual representation of "sound out" - To discreetly find out someone's opinions or intentions on a particular matter.

Often appears as...

  • sound out opinions
  • sound out intentions

Usage tips

Disapproving

verb

To say the sounds that form a word, one by one, in order to understand or make someone understand how a word is pronounced.

He found it difficult to sound out the complex scientific names in the textbook.
Visual representation of "sound out" - To say the sounds that form a word, one by one, in order to understand or make someone understand how a word is pronounced.

Often appears as...

  • sound out words
  • sound out syllables

Usage tips

Academic

verb

To discreetly find out someone's opinions or intentions on a particular matter.

Before making the announcement, the principal decided to sound out the teachers on the new policy.
Visual representation of "sound out" - To discreetly find out someone's opinions or intentions on a particular matter.

Often appears as...

  • sound out opinions
  • sound out intentions

Usage tips

Disapproving

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "sound out"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Phonetic Breakdown

Divide unknown words into smaller parts to decode them.

Illustration for Phonetic Breakdown
To improve reading, she would sound out each syllable.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Reading Aloud

Practicing sounding out loud reinforces correct pronunciation.

Illustration for Reading Aloud
Johnny sounded out the word 'encyclopedia' loudly in class.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Clarification Tool

Use it to clarify pronunciation when learning new vocabulary.

Illustration for Clarification Tool
During her Spanish lesson, she sounded out 'biblioteca' carefully.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Phonetic Breakdown

Divide unknown words into smaller parts to decode them.

Illustration for Phonetic Breakdown
To improve reading, she would sound out each syllable.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Reading Aloud

Practicing sounding out loud reinforces correct pronunciation.

Illustration for Reading Aloud
Johnny sounded out the word 'encyclopedia' loudly in class.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Clarification Tool

Use it to clarify pronunciation when learning new vocabulary.

Illustration for Clarification Tool
During her Spanish lesson, she sounded out 'biblioteca' carefully.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Phonetic Breakdown

Divide unknown words into smaller parts to decode them.

Illustration for Phonetic Breakdown
To improve reading, she would sound out each syllable.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Reading Aloud

Practicing sounding out loud reinforces correct pronunciation.

Illustration for Reading Aloud
Johnny sounded out the word 'encyclopedia' loudly in class.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Clarification Tool

Use it to clarify pronunciation when learning new vocabulary.

Illustration for Clarification Tool
During her Spanish lesson, she sounded out 'biblioteca' carefully.
Visual representation of the word "Sound out"

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