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

• articulately adverb
• articulateness noun
• articulable adjective
• 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

But no matter how well they articulate what they can do — and what they can’t — some investors will demand more.

Read more on MarketWatch

But his design for the minimally articulated closing duet with Ms. Mearns and Stanley makes them seem to be missing lower limbs—which is just puzzling.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Another was that he understood and articulated—far better than his opponents—the concerns and aspirations of the American people.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"I'm not 100% sure how to articulate that change, but I'm coming out with a different energy."

Read more on BBC

The steps the Probation Department needs to take to meet the terms of the settlement have been articulated in court filings and reports published by the L.A.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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