Is "pronunciable" or "pronounceable" more correct, considering etymology?

The former seems more natural to me, and is personally what I've used, but the latter is easier to pronounce.


Solution 1:

Pronunciable is incorrect. The correct adjective for ‘something that can be pronounced’ is pronounceable. Adjectives that end with the suffix -able are mostly formed from (transitive) verbs. In this case, the verb is ‘pronounce’:

  • pronounce (verb) + able → pronounceable
  • manage + able → manageable
  • update + able → updateable (updatable)
  • enjoy + able → enjoyable

Also note that you cannot remove the e from ‘pronounceable’ because if you do, it will turn the /s/ of ‘pronounce’ to a /k/ (*pronouncable).