sound out v 1: speak, pronounce, or utter in a certain way; "She pronounces French words in a funny way"; "I cannot say `zip wire'"; "Can the child sound out this complicated word?" [syn: {pronounce}, {articulate}, {enounce}, {enunciate}, {say}] 2: try to learn someone's opinions and intentions; "I have to sound out the new professor" [syn: {check out}, {feel out}]