Synonyms

enunciate

American

[ih-nuhn-see-ayt] / ɪˈnʌn siˌeɪt /

verb (used with object)

to utter or pronounce (words, sentences, etc.), especially in an articulate or a particular manner.

He enunciates his words distinctly.
to state or declare definitely, as a theory.
to announce or proclaim.

to enunciate one's intentions.

verb (used without object)

to pronounce words, especially in an articulate or a particular manner.

enunciate British

/ ɪˈnʌnsɪˌeɪt /

verb

to articulate or pronounce (words), esp clearly and distinctly
(tr) to state precisely or formally

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of enunciate

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin ēnūntiātus (past participle of ēnūntiāre ), equivalent to ē- “from, out of” ( see e- ¹) + nūnti(us) “messenger, message” + -ātus suffix ( see -ate ¹)

Explanation

Can't get your point across? Maybe you just need to speak more clearly or articulate your thoughts better — in short, enunciate. Good enunciation is similar to pronunciation, but describes more specifically how clearly someone expresses themselves. The word enunciate is related to the Latin words for both "announce" and "messenger." So most likely those ancient Romans who created the word wanted a messenger who could announce things without mumbling, grumbling, and rambling.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing enunciate

Unit 1: Telling Details

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Tongues Untied: The Lingo of Linguistics

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

100 SAT Words Beginning with "E"

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

enunciate enunciates enunciated enunciating

Did you find yourself making more of an effort to enunciate?

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2026

Compassionate means you care about people and the policies you enunciate help people .

From Salon ● Jun. 28, 2026

The coordinator, too, wants Howell to “over-communicate” and enunciate clearly so that teammates don’t miss a word, Howell says.

From Washington Times ● May 31, 2023

He doesn't think screen acting has changed much over the decades but he does have a grumble about "mumbling" - actors who fail to enunciate their lines.

From BBC ● Mar. 17, 2023

"García de la Torre," Laura would enunciate carefully, giving her maiden as well as married name when they first arrived.

From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez

Constitution, which enunciates the right to a “speedy and public trial” and to “be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation.”

From Salon ● Jun. 3, 2024

Chandrasekhar admitted he was no Jacques Bailly, the University of Vermont classics professor who has been the competition’s official pronouncer since 2003 and enunciates each word with a vaguely Midwestern intonation.

From Washington Post ● Jun. 2, 2022

“He enunciates in a way you’re not accustomed to hearing.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 20, 2022

Through what she was saying, I came to realize that the way she speaks is actually intentional—she enunciates as if she’s on stage giving a performance.

From Slate ● May 4, 2021

“A pi-a-nist,” he enunciates, sauntering into the music room.

From "Leah on the Offbeat" by Becky Albertalli

Stipe now enunciated his lyrics, which shaded into social commentary, while the arrangements drew from a palette that included string sections, mandolins and an increasing reliance on Mills’ textured keyboard parts.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 5, 2024

The actor Harry Hamlin pronounces “Bolognese” the way Italians do, with the final “e” enunciated.

From New York Times ● May 25, 2024

“Jamie Lee Curtis,” producer DeVon Franklin enunciated loudly into the mic.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 13, 2023

Gone are the days of the Friedman Doctrine, enunciated in 1970 by the influential laissez-faire economist Milton Friedman.

From Washington Post ● Mar. 11, 2022

“I make a mistake,” she said, every syllable carefully enunciated.

From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng

Yassir spoke with cadence and clarity, enunciating all the syllables of “definitely,” a word he said quite often.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 16, 2025

She would sit with me for hours on the couch, pointing to words in books and magazines, and patiently enunciating them, bantering with me in an inexhaustible volley of puns, spoonerisms and goofy double entendres.

From Scientific American ● Jul. 12, 2023

An LDS church spokesman later said the organization was not endorsing specific legislation but rather Mr. Bednar was enunciating “guiding principles” on the matter.

From Washington Times ● May 26, 2022

Todd addressed him deliberately, enunciating each word: “Do you remember the guardianship case?”

From New York Times ● Nov. 17, 2021

“Do you know Miss Wren?” she said, enunciating loudly.

From "Hollow City" by Ransom Riggs

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023