Explanation at your level:
An announcement is a message for many people. You hear announcements at the airport or at school. It tells you what is happening next. It is a very important word for understanding news.
When you want to tell a group of people something, you make an announcement. For example, your teacher might make an announcement about a test. It is a formal way to share information with everyone in a room.
An announcement is a public or official statement. Businesses often make announcements about new products. You might also hear announcements on the train about delays. It is a common noun used when information is shared with a specific group or the public.
The term announcement refers to a formal declaration of facts or intentions. It is frequently used in professional or media contexts. Whether it is a 'press announcement' or a 'major announcement,' the word implies that the information is significant and intended for a wide audience.
Beyond simple news, an announcement acts as a mechanism for institutional communication. It carries a sense of authority and finality. In academic or corporate environments, an announcement is often the primary method for disseminating policy changes or strategic updates to stakeholders.
Etymologically rooted in proclamation, the announcement serves as a bridge between private intent and public awareness. It is a performative act; by making an announcement, the speaker changes the social landscape by establishing a new shared reality. Its usage ranges from mundane public address systems to monumental historical proclamations.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A formal public statement.
- Used to share important news.
- Pairs with 'make' or 'issue'.
- Common in professional settings.
An announcement is a way to share news with more than one person. Whether it is a teacher telling the class about a field trip or a company launching a new product, the goal is always the same: to make sure the information is heard.
You will often see this word in professional settings, but it happens in daily life too. Whenever someone makes a public statement, they are essentially making an announcement. It is a very useful word for describing how we communicate important updates to the world around us.
The word announcement comes from the Latin word annuntiare, which means 'to bring news' or 'to proclaim.' It is built from the prefix ad- (to) and nuntius (messenger).
Over time, it moved through Old French as anoncer before landing in English. Historically, this was how kings and town criers shared laws or news with the public. Today, we still use it for the same purpose, though we often use digital screens instead of town criers!
We use announcement when we talk about official or semi-official news. You can 'make' an announcement, 'issue' an announcement, or 'wait for' an announcement.
It is generally a formal word. If you are just telling a friend a secret, you wouldn't call it an announcement. However, if you are telling a group of friends about a big life change, it might be funny or dramatic to say, 'I have an announcement to make!'
While 'announcement' itself isn't always in an idiom, it is part of common phrases. 1. Make an announcement: To formally tell people something. 2. Public announcement: A message for everyone. 3. Official announcement: News from a source of authority. 4. A surprise announcement: News that nobody expected. 5. A formal announcement: A very structured, serious way of sharing news.
The word is a countable noun. You can have one announcement or many announcements. The stress is on the second syllable: uh-NOUNCE-ment.
In both British and American English, the IPA is /əˈnaʊnsmənt/. It rhymes with words like pronouncement, denouncement, and renouncement. It is a standard noun that follows regular pluralization rules.
Fun Fact
It comes from the same root as 'nuncio', the official messenger of the Pope.
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'ow' sound as in 'cow'.
Similar to UK, slightly more rhotic 'r' if present.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'ou' as 'oh'
- Dropping the 'n' in the middle
- Adding an extra syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to use
Easy to pronounce
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Articles with Nouns
An announcement
Verb-Noun Collocations
Make an announcement
Noun Suffixes
-ment
Examples by Level
The teacher made an announcement.
teacher / made / announcement
past tense verb
I heard an announcement.
I / heard / announcement
article usage
The announcement is short.
announcement / is / short
simple present
Did you hear the announcement?
did / you / hear / announcement
question form
The announcement was loud.
announcement / was / loud
adjective usage
Read the announcement now.
read / announcement / now
imperative
We wait for the announcement.
we / wait / for / announcement
preposition use
That is a big announcement.
that / is / big / announcement
determiner
The airline made an announcement about the delay.
I read the announcement on the website.
Everyone listened to the president's announcement.
The school announcement was very clear.
She waited for an official announcement.
Did you see the announcement on the board?
The announcement surprised all the students.
We are waiting for an announcement from the boss.
The company issued an announcement regarding the merger.
Please listen carefully to the upcoming announcement.
The government made a surprise announcement yesterday.
His announcement caused a lot of excitement.
The public announcement was broadcast on the radio.
I missed the announcement because I was late.
The manager's announcement changed our plans.
They are preparing a formal announcement for the press.
The CEO made a major announcement concerning the new strategy.
There was an official announcement about the upcoming policy change.
The sudden announcement caught everyone off guard.
She waited for the formal announcement before commenting.
The announcement was met with mixed reactions.
The committee released an announcement to the public.
His announcement served to clarify the situation.
They made an announcement during the press conference.
The government's announcement was intended to quell public anxiety.
The official announcement marked a turning point in the negotiations.
He made a solemn announcement regarding his resignation.
The announcement of the discovery sent shockwaves through the community.
A formal announcement is expected by the end of the week.
The company's announcement failed to reassure investors.
The announcement was carefully worded to avoid controversy.
They issued a joint announcement to address the rumors.
The monarch's announcement resonated throughout the kingdom.
The announcement acted as a catalyst for the ensuing debate.
His announcement was a masterclass in diplomatic ambiguity.
The unexpected announcement precipitated a shift in policy.
The announcement was delivered with gravitas and precision.
They awaited the announcement with bated breath.
The announcement was a formal proclamation of their intent.
The announcement effectively silenced the dissenters.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"make a big announcement"
To share very important news.
They gathered everyone to make a big announcement.
casual"wait for the announcement"
To be in suspense for news.
We are all waiting for the announcement.
neutral"the announcement of the century"
Hyperbole for very shocking news.
It was the announcement of the century!
casual"pre-announcement"
A hint of news before the official reveal.
The pre-announcement created a lot of buzz.
business"public address announcement"
A message over a loudspeaker.
The public address announcement was hard to hear.
neutral"official announcement of"
The formal start of a process.
The official announcement of the project began today.
formalEasily Confused
Similar suffix.
Pronouncement is more authoritative/judicial.
The judge made a pronouncement.
Similar suffix.
Denouncement is a public condemnation.
The denouncement of the crime was swift.
Both share info.
News is the content, announcement is the act of sharing it.
The news was in the announcement.
Both are formal.
A statement can be just a fact, an announcement is a notification.
He issued a statement of fact.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + made + an announcement + about + Topic
The CEO made an announcement about the merger.
There + was + an announcement + regarding + Topic
There was an announcement regarding the delay.
The + announcement + was + Adjective
The announcement was shocking.
Listen + to + the + announcement
Please listen to the announcement.
Wait + for + the + announcement
We wait for the announcement.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Missing the 'e' before the 'ment'.
We use 'make' with announcement, not 'say'.
It is one word, not hyphenated.
While 'give' is sometimes used, 'make' is much more natural.
You cannot add -ing to the noun.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a town crier standing in your living room.
When Native Speakers Use It
When they have important news for a group.
Cultural Insight
Important in schools and workplaces.
Grammar Shortcut
Always pair with 'make' or 'issue'.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'NOUNCE' part.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't misspell it as 'announcment'.
Did You Know?
It has Latin roots.
Study Smart
Use it in a sentence about your school.
Writing Tip
Use it to introduce a new topic in an essay.
Speaking Tip
Pause before you make an announcement for effect.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
An-NOUNCE-ment: A noun that announces!
Visual Association
A town crier with a bell.
Word Web
Challenge
Write down three announcements you heard today.
Word Origin
Latin
Original meaning: To bring news
Cultural Context
None, it is a neutral word.
Commonly used in schools, airports, and corporate offices.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- make an announcement
- official announcement
- company announcement
At school
- class announcement
- school announcement
- important announcement
At the airport
- flight announcement
- gate announcement
- delay announcement
In the news
- press announcement
- government announcement
- public announcement
Conversation Starters
"Did you hear the announcement this morning?"
"What was the last important announcement you heard?"
"Do you like making announcements to groups?"
"How do you feel when you wait for an announcement?"
"What kind of announcement would you like to hear today?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you had to make an announcement.
Write about an announcement that changed your life.
If you could make an announcement to the world, what would it be?
How do announcements affect the way we work?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsUsually yes, but it can be used playfully.
Announce is the verb, announcement is the noun.
Yes, announcements.
A-N-N-O-U-N-C-E-M-E-N-T.
Yes, by definition.
It is better to say 'make an announcement'.
On the second syllable.
Yes, very common in daily life.
Test Yourself
The principal made an ___ about the holiday.
Correct spelling is announcement.
Which verb goes with announcement?
We say 'make an announcement'.
An announcement is usually private.
An announcement is public.
Word
Meaning
Common collocations.
Subject + verb + article + noun.
The company ___ an announcement regarding the merger.
Issue is a formal alternative to make.
What is a synonym for announcement?
Proclamation is a formal announcement.
Announcement is a countable noun.
You can have one or many announcements.
Idiomatic structure.
The ___ of the new law was met with protest.
Noun is required here.
Score: /10
Summary
An announcement is simply a public way to share important information with a group of people.
- A formal public statement.
- Used to share important news.
- Pairs with 'make' or 'issue'.
- Common in professional settings.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a town crier standing in your living room.
When Native Speakers Use It
When they have important news for a group.
Cultural Insight
Important in schools and workplaces.
Grammar Shortcut
Always pair with 'make' or 'issue'.
Example
The school principal made an announcement over the PA system regarding the upcoming winter break.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More Communication words
aah
A1An interjection used to express relief, satisfaction, or pleasure, often in response to something pleasant or comforting. It can also be used to express pain or surprise, though this is less common and often indicated by tone.
accentuate
C1To make a particular feature of something more noticeable or prominent. It is frequently used to describe how one thing emphasizes the beauty, importance, or intensity of another.
acknowledgment
B2An acknowledgment is the act of accepting or admitting that something is true, or a formal statement confirming that something has been received. It can also refer to a public expression of thanks for someone's help or contribution.
actually
B1Actually is used to emphasize that something is a real fact or the truth, often contrasting with what was thought or said. It can also be used to introduce a surprising piece of information or to gently correct someone.
address
A2To speak or write to someone directly, or to deal with a specific problem or situation. It is commonly used when giving a speech, writing a destination on mail, or attempting to solve an issue.
addressee
B2The person or organization to whom a letter, package, or message is addressed. It refers to the intended recipient of a piece of communication.
adlocment
C1Describes a style of communication or behavior that is formal, directed, and oratorical in nature, specifically pertaining to a public address or a declamatory speech. It is used to characterize language that is intentionally designed to be heard by an audience for the purpose of instruction or inspiration.
adloctude
C1Describing a person or communicative style characterized by a formal and direct manner of address. It implies a state of being rhetorically accessible while maintaining a sense of authoritative presence.
admonish
C1To firmly warn or reprimand someone for their behavior, or to advise someone earnestly to do or avoid something. It often implies a sense of moral guidance or authoritative concern rather than just anger.
adpassant
C1To mention or address a secondary topic briefly and incidentally while focused on a primary task or discussion. It describes an action that occurs seamlessly 'in passing' without disrupting the main narrative or workflow.
