Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

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.


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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In Verdi’s hands the waltz is no mere set piece articulating place and time, but a throughline central to the realism at the heart of the work.

From The Wall Street Journal

He left a peerless catalogue of songs articulating the life of working class Irish immigrants, with tales of finding love in the slums littered with references to literature, mythology and the Bible.

From BBC

The search results provided do not contain expressed opposing viewpoints to the perspectives articulated in the article.

From Los Angeles Times

The failure to articulate a persuasive and inspiring case not only weakens support at home, our diplomatic efforts overseas and our war-fighting capabilities.

From The Wall Street Journal

Dalman, who happened to study mechanical engineering at Stanford, has yet to articulate why he is retiring.

From Los Angeles Times