How to pronounce propose
Say it like pruh-POHZ. Propose has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (POHZ).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce propose. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pruh
- POHZ
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Propose pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- pruhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- POHZSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of propose
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: pruh-POHZ.
What does propose mean?
- make a proposal, declare a plan for something“the senator proposed to abolish the sales tax”
- present for consideration, examination, criticism, etc.“He proposed a new plan for dealing with terrorism”“She proposed a new theory of relativity”
- propose or intend“I aim to arrive at noon”
Where does propose come from?
From Middle English proposen, from Anglo-Norman proposer (verb), propos (noun), Middle French proposer (verb), propos (noun), from Latin prōpōnō, prōpōnere, with conjugation altered based on poser.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with propose
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of propose.
Questions about saying propose
How do you pronounce propose?
Say pruh-POHZ. The American pronunciation is /prəˈpoʊz/. In British English it is /prəˈpəʊz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in propose?
Propose has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (POHZ). Broken into parts: pruh · POHZ.
Is propose pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /prəˈpəʊz/ (pruh-POHZ).