punctuate
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to mark or divide (something written) with punctuation marks in order to make the meaning clear.
-
to interrupt at intervals.
Cheers punctuated the mayor's speech.
-
to give emphasis or force to; emphasize; underline.
verb (used without object)
verb
-
(also intr) to insert punctuation marks into (a written text)
-
to interrupt or insert at frequent intervals
a meeting punctuated by heckling
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to give emphasis to
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
punctuatesimple
-
punctuatessimple
-
have punctuatedperfect
-
has punctuatedperfect
-
am punctuatingprogressive
-
are punctuatingprogressive
-
is punctuatingprogressive
-
have been punctuatingperfect progressive
-
has been punctuatingperfect progressive
Past
-
punctuatedsimple
-
had punctuatedperfect
-
was punctuatingprogressive
-
were punctuatingprogressive
-
had been punctuatingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of punctuate
1625–35; < Medieval Latin pūnctuātus (past participle of pūnctuāre to point), derivative of Latin pūnctus a pricking; see punctual
Explanation
Most commonly, punctuate means to insert standard marks (like periods, commas, and exclamation points) into written sentences. You punctuate sentences to give the reader additional information, such as when a sentence ends, whether or not that sentence is a question, and when a series of words might be a list. You can also punctuate, or emphasize, your words by shouting them or making them ALL CAPS. Occasionally, this verb can also mean "interrupt periodically," as when your cat walks back and forth across your keyboard, punctuating your writing with "shjkpl;" and "pohjxz."
Vocabulary lists containing punctuate
Language and Grammar - Introductory
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Refugee
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Common Core Grades 7–8, List 5
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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.
Punctuate a traditional Christmas color scheme with bursts of bright white tulips.
From Southern Living • Nov. 19, 2010
Punctuate that with regular announcements about the hunt for al-Qaeda, and he could have coasted to re-election as Father Protector.
From Time Magazine Archive
Punctuate the votes in balloting thus: Yeas, 2; nays, 3.
From Newspaper Reporting and Correspondence A Manual for Reporters, Correspondents, and Students of Newspaper Writing by Hyde, Grant Milnor
Punctuate your sentence while you are writing it.
From Punctuation A Primer of Information about the Marks of Punctuation and their Use Both Grammatically and Typographically by Hamilton, Frederick W. (Frederick William)
There is no objection to beginning a letter with I. Punctuate the letter just as carefully as any other composition.
From Practical Grammar and Composition by Wood, Thomas
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
