articulate

American  

[ahr-tik-yuh-lit, ahr-tik-yuh-leyt] / ɑrˈtɪk yə lɪt, ɑrˈtɪk yəˌleɪt /

adjective

1. uttered clearly in distinct syllables.

2. capable of speech; not speechless.

3. using language easily and fluently; having facility with words.

   an articulate speaker.

4. expressed, formulated, or presented with clarity and effectiveness.

   an articulate thought.

   Synonyms:

   expressive

   Antonyms:

   unintelligible, inarticulate

5. made clear, distinct, and precise in relation to other parts.

   an articulate form; an articulate shape; an articulate area.

6. (of ideas, form, etc.) having a meaningful relation to other parts.

   an articulate image.

7. having parts or distinct areas organized into a coherent or meaningful whole; unified.

   an articulate system of philosophy.

8. Zoology. having joints or articulations; composed of segments.

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verb (used with object)

articulated, articulating

1. to utter clearly and distinctly; pronounce with clarity.

   Synonyms:

   enunciate

   Antonyms:

   mumble

2. Phonetics. to make the movements and adjustments of the speech organs necessary to utter (a speech sound).

3. to give clarity or distinction to.

   to articulate a shape; to articulate an idea.

4. Dentistry. to position or reposition (teeth); subject to articulation.

5. to unite by a joint or joints.

6. to reveal or make distinct.

   an injection to articulate arteries so that obstructions can be observed by x-ray.

verb (used without object)

articulated, articulating

1. to pronounce clearly each of a succession of speech sounds, syllables, or words; enunciate.

   to articulate with excessive precision.

2. Phonetics. to articulate a speech sound.

3. Anatomy, Zoology. to form a joint.

4. Obsolete. to make terms of agreement.

noun

1. a segmented invertebrate.

articulate British  

adjective

1. able to express oneself fluently and coherently

   an articulate lecturer

2. having the power of speech

3. distinct, clear, or definite; well-constructed

   an articulate voice

   an articulate document

4. zoology (of arthropods and higher vertebrates) possessing joints or jointed segments

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verb

1. to speak or enunciate (words, syllables, etc) clearly and distinctly

2. (tr) to express coherently in words

3. (intr) zoology to be jointed or form a joint

4. (tr) to separate into jointed segments

Related Words

See eloquent.

Other Word Forms

• articulable adjective
• articulacy noun
• articulately adverb
• articulateness noun
• articulative adjective
• misarticulate verb
• multiarticulate adjective
• nonarticulate adjective
• nonarticulately adverb
• nonarticulateness noun
• nonarticulative adjective
• overarticulate adjective
• prearticulate adjective
• pseudoarticulate adjective
• pseudoarticulately adverb
• rearticulate verb
• semiarticulate adjective
• semiarticulately adverb
• subarticulate adjective
• subarticulately adverb
• subarticulateness noun
• subarticulative adjective
• unarticulate adjective
• unarticulately adverb
• unarticulative adjective

Etymology

Origin of articulate

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin articulātus, past participle of articulāre “to divide into distinct parts”; article, -ate ¹

Example Sentences

“The ideas and insights he outlined still dominate the field,” observes Mr. Cobb, “even though most neuroscientists have no idea that Crick was the first to coherently articulate them.”

From The Wall Street Journal

But the document largely restates conclusions that prosecutors, congressional investigators, and multiple courts have previously articulated.

From Salon

Gallina: It’s hard for the intelligence community to articulate what it needs because there really are some methods and techniques that are sensitive that should not be disclosed to just any vendor.

From The Wall Street Journal

Widely considered East Africa’s leading novelist and one of the continent’s most articulate social critics, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o examined the enduring traumatic effects of colonialism on both individuals and the national psyche.

From The Wall Street Journal

"She could run that ward blindfolded, she was the most articulate, intelligent, caring individual I've ever met and I just thought, 'what is it that you don't have?'."

From BBC

Related Words

• coherent
• eloquent
• expressive
• fluent
• well-spoken