punctuate
Americanverb (used with object)
-
punctuates,
present (3rd person singular)
-
punctuated,
past participle, past
-
punctuating
present participle
-
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)
-
punctuates,
present (3rd person singular)
-
punctuated,
past participle, past
-
punctuating
present participle
verb
-
(also intr) to insert punctuation marks into (a written text)
-
to interrupt or insert at frequent intervals
a meeting punctuated by heckling
-
to give emphasis to
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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punctuatornoun
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repunctuateverb (used with object)
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nonpunctuatingadjective
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unpunctuatedadjective
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unpunctuatingadjective
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.
See Examples For:
Inoue seized the opportunity to put his foot down and attacked with combinations in the final two rounds to punctuate another memorable victory.
From BBC ● May 2, 2026
The earnings punctuate one of the more impressive advances for the market since the Covid pandemic.
From Barron's ● Apr. 27, 2026
Sengun appeared to punctuate the season-saving win with a one-handed dunk over James with 40.6 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 25, 2026
Imagine this: The cheerful, if slightly scolding voices of the self-checkout machines punctuate the steady hum of fluorescent lights.
From Salon ● Jan. 3, 2026
“Go. Over. There,” I say, and punctuate each word with a kiss.
From "The Sun Is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon
He routinely punctuates his public speeches with historical anecdotes and oddities.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 10, 2026
The AI punctuates, formats and adapts his rambling into coherent copy.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 29, 2026
An unexpected board drama at Denmark’s Novo Nordisk punctuates an already tumultuous year in which the maker of the blockbusters Ozempic and Wegovy plans to slash 9,000 workers globally.
From Barron's ● Oct. 22, 2025
When the chorus finally lands—“Take a load off, Fanny”—it’s Manuel who punctuates the song’s vocal stylings.
From Salon ● Jun. 16, 2025
Silence punctuates the space between us and I feel his eyes burning a hole in the top of my head.
From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam
It was punctuated by an automatic voice saying the caller was a prisoner, which is usual practice for calls from Iranian prisons.
From Barron's ● Sep. 30, 2026
After Grant’s 60-yard score to Rattler put the Cougars up 12-6, Cleveland drove 80 yards in 12 plays, keyed by three completions by quarterback Domenik Fuentes and punctuated by Joseph Hurtado’s one-yard touchdown run.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 26, 2026
There was no repeat of the scuffles which have punctuated parts of the build-up, with Benn remaining stone-faced before the pair were separated.
From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026
But we experienced unprecedented heat for the time of year, punctuated by cold, damp days and followed by unexpectedly chilly nights.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 11, 2026
I smiled and shrugged, but my accusations were hard, punctuated by a jabbing finger.
From "Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky" by Kwame Mbalia
A Chinese military court issued suspended death sentences to two former defense ministers for corruption, punctuating a broad purge of China’s armed forces that has ousted most of the high command.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 7, 2026
Even Marin’s incessant flippancy and Chong’s “maaan”s punctuating every other sentence become enjoyable the more time one spends with them.
From Salon ● Apr. 18, 2026
She manages comedy much better than sincerity but Coiro knows how to work around it, punctuating her big speeches with quick cutaways to comic relief so we don’t dwell on them too much.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 10, 2026
“You the same build as your mum” another person wrote back, punctuating the comment with a sweating smiley face emoji.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 17, 2025
Dill gazed out the window at the trees that lined both sides of the highway, the occasional handmade roadside cross, marking where someone had met their end, punctuating the unbroken wall of green.
From "The Serpent King" by Jeff Zentner
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
