sound out

communication language

The phrase "sound out" has versatile applications in communication, either for exploring opinions or assisting in pronunciation.

🇺🇸 US Voice:

🇬🇧 UK Voice:

Definition

B2Interpersonal Communication

(informal)To explore someone's thoughts or opinions by asking indirect questions.

Example

She decided to sound him out about his plans for the weekend.
Before making a decision, he sounded out his team members.

A2Language Learning

(educational)To pronounce each part of a word slowly and clearly to aid in reading or understanding.

Example

The teacher asked the student to sound out the word 'elephant'.
Children often sound out words when they are learning to read.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "sound out":

sing out read out spell out spell it out rhyme out write out ream out talk out spout out make out count out think out loud belt out spell things out clap out spec out call out end out bash out spark out see out spell off ring out reckon out suss out type out string out sound off show out line out pound out set out read off peal out nut out beat out print out bang out test out have out fish out shake out scratch out draw out rig out cough out point out shit out sleep out pop out