enunciate

American  

[ih-nuhn-see-eyt] / ɪˈnʌn siˌeɪt /

verb (used with object)

enunciated, enunciating

1. to utter or pronounce (words, sentences, etc.), especially in an articulate or a particular manner.

   He enunciates his words distinctly.

2. to state or declare definitely, as a theory.

3. to announce or proclaim.

   to enunciate one's intentions.

---

verb (used without object)

enunciated, enunciating

1. to pronounce words, especially in an articulate or a particular manner.

enunciate British  

/ ɪˈnʌnsɪˌeɪt /

verb

1. to articulate or pronounce (words), esp clearly and distinctly

2. (tr) to state precisely or formally

---

Other Word Forms

• enunciability noun
• enunciable adjective
• enunciation noun
• enunciative adjective
• enunciatively adverb
• enunciator noun
• enunciatory adjective
• nonenunciative adjective
• nonenunciatory adjective
• reenunciate verb
• unenunciable adjective
• unenunciated adjective
• unenunciative adjective

Etymology

Origin of enunciate

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin ēnūntiātus (past participle of ēnūntiāre ), equivalent to ē- “from, out of” ( e- ¹ ) + nūnti(us) “messenger, message” + -ātus suffix ( -ate ¹ )

Explanation

Can't get your point across? Maybe you just need to speak more clearly or articulate your thoughts better — in short, enunciate. Good enunciation is similar to pronunciation, but describes more specifically how clearly someone expresses themselves. The word enunciate is related to the Latin words for both "announce" and "messenger." So most likely those ancient Romans who created the word wanted a messenger who could announce things without mumbling, grumbling, and rambling.

Example Sentences

The coordinator, too, wants Howell to “over-communicate” and enunciate clearly so that teammates don’t miss a word, Howell says.

From Washington Times • May 31, 2023

Biden has a stutter, which can make it seem as if he can’t remember words when in fact he is struggling to enunciate them.

From New York Times • Apr. 26, 2023

He doesn't think screen acting has changed much over the decades but he does have a grumble about "mumbling" - actors who fail to enunciate their lines.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2023

And I can more clearly hear my three girls, although I sometimes have to ask them to repeat things and enunciate more clearly.

From Washington Post • Jul. 30, 2022

"García de la Torre," Laura would enunciate carefully, giving her maiden as well as married name when they first arrived.

From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez

Related Words

• affirm
• articulate
• intone
• lay down
• outline
• propound
• utter