articulate

[ahr-tik-yuh-lit, ahr-tik-yuh-leyt]

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.

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

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

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

Other Word Forms

• articulable adjective
• articulately adverb
• articulateness noun
• articulacy noun
• articulative adjective
• misarticulate verb
• multiarticulate adjective
• nonarticulate adjective
• nonarticulately adverb
• nonarticulateness noun
• nonarticulative adjective
• overarticulate verb
• 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of articulate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of articulate¹

C16: from Latin articulāre to divide into joints; see _article

Synonym Study

See eloquent.

Example Sentences

The attempts made by England's representatives to articulate the magnitude of their achievement provoked much laughter.

From BBC

However, he continued to impress as foreign affairs spokesman, articulating the party's opposition to the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 and misgivings over the Blair government's close relationship with Washington.

From BBC

There were moments when digesting his work, whereby I felt he was articulating something I had never quite found words for myself.

From Los Angeles Times

Well, that was the way you made the point—playing a character who can’t always articulate what he’s feeling and who has to develop action to find out.”

From Los Angeles Times

President Ronald Reagan famously articulated this vision: “I think you all know that I’ve always felt the nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.”

From Salon

Related Words

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