Definify.com
Definition 2024
sound_out
sound out
English
Verb
to sound out (third-person singular simple present sounds out, present participle sounding out, simple past and past participle sounded out)
- (transitive) To question and listen attentively in order to discover a person's opinion, intent, or preference, especially by using indirect conversational remarks.
- 1918, Peter B. Kyne, The Valley of the Giants, ch. 24,
- You'll have to ask them—sound them out.
- 1918, Peter B. Kyne, The Valley of the Giants, ch. 24,
- (transitive) To pronounce a word or phrase by articulating each of its letters or syllables slowly in sequence.
- (intransitive) To speak or sing loudly, to call out.
- c. 1855, Walt Whitman, "Crossing Brooklyn Ferry," stanza 9,
- Sound out, voices of young men! loudly and musically call me by my nighest name!
- c. 1855, Walt Whitman, "Crossing Brooklyn Ferry," stanza 9,
Synonyms
Translations
to question and listen attentively to discover a person's opinion
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to pronounce a word or phrase by articulating each of its letters
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to speak or sing loudly
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References
- "sound out" at OneLook® Dictionary Search.