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Pronounce the Word

Learn to pronounce any word you type
Overview

Pronounce the Word

Learn to pronounce any word correctly with audio playback, phonetic spelling, and comprehensive definitions.

Features

  • Audio Pronunciation: Play audio pronunciations with a single keyboard shortcut (⌘1, ⌘2, etc.)
  • Phonetic Spelling: View IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcriptions with accent labels
  • Multiple Accents: Access different pronunciations (British, American) when available
  • Comprehensive Definitions: See word meanings, parts of speech, and example sentences
  • Synonyms & Antonyms: Expand your vocabulary with related words
  • Search History: Automatically saves your last 30 word searches for quick access
  • Smart Suggestions: Get word suggestions when a word isn't found

Usage

Searching for a Word

  1. Open Raycast and type "Pronounce"
  2. Type any word in the search bar
  3. Press Enter to view pronunciation details

Playing Audio

In the word details view:

  • Press ⌘1 to play the first pronunciation
  • Press ⌘2 to play the second pronunciation (if available)
  • Or open the action menu (⌘K) and select a pronunciation option

The keyboard shortcuts are displayed at the top of the details page for quick reference.

Managing History

Your last 30 word searches are automatically saved:

  • Click on any history item to view it again
  • Each history item shows a trash icon on the right
  • Press ⌃X (Control+X) to delete a word from history
  • Or open the action menu (⌘K) and select "Remove from History"

Word Not Found?

If a word isn't found, you'll see:

  • An error message: "Cannot find the word"
  • A list of suggested similar words
  • Click on any suggestion to look it up instantly

Technical Details

APIs Used

  1. Free Dictionary API: Comprehensive word data with audio files, phonetic spellings, and definitions
  2. Datamuse API: Provides word suggestions for typos or unknown words

Audio Playback

Audio files are downloaded and played using platform-specific commands for reliable playback:

  • macOS: Native afplay command
  • Windows: PowerShell with .NET System.Media.SoundPlayer
  • Linux: ffplay or mpv

Storage

Word history is stored locally using Raycast's LocalStorage API, limited to the 30 most recent searches.

Keyboard Shortcuts

  • ⌘1, ⌘2, etc.: Play pronunciation audio (in word details)
  • ⌃X: Delete word from history (in history list)
  • ⌘K: Open action menu
  • Enter: Look up the typed word
  • Esc: Go back to search

License

MIT