inarticulate

American  

[in-ahr-tik-yuh-lit] / ˌɪn ɑrˈtɪk yə lɪt /

adjective

1. lacking the ability to express oneself, especially in clear and effective speech.

   an inarticulate public speaker.

2. unable to use articulate speech.

   inarticulate with rage.

   Synonyms:

   dumb, mute

3. not articulate; not uttered or emitted with expressive or intelligible modulations.

   His mouth stuffed, he could utter only inarticulate sounds.

4. not fully expressed or expressible.

   a voice choked with inarticulate agony.

5. Anatomy, Zoology. not jointed; having no articulation or joint.

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inarticulate British  

/ ˌɪnɑːˈtɪkjʊlɪt /

adjective

1. unable to express oneself fluently or clearly; incoherent

2. (of speech, language, etc) unclear or incomprehensible; unintelligible

   inarticulate grunts

3. unable to speak; dumb

4. unable to be expressed; unvoiced

   inarticulate suffering

5. biology having no joints, segments, or articulation

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Other Word Forms

• inarticulately adverb
• inarticulateness noun

Etymology

Origin of inarticulate

From the Late Latin word inarticulātus, dating back to 1595–1605. See in- ³, articulate

Explanation

Use the adjective inarticulate to describe poor communication skills, like at your most inarticulate moments when you nervously fumble to find the right word and completely forget to make your most important point. Inarticulate sounds — a grunt, cry, scream, snort, wail, howl, moan, sob, snicker — are heard but not easily understood. If something is inarticulate, it is hard to get the meaning, like an inarticulate speech whose main idea can't be found. Creative works can also be inarticulate, when it isn't clear what — if anything — they are trying to express, like a painter whose gallery show that is called "inarticulate" by a critic: You can't grasp what the artist is trying to say.

Example Sentences

There’s more to this inarticulate cadet than his handsome exterior, though it will take some time for even the discerning Cyrano to recognize his subordinate’s distinction and to acknowledge his way with words.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 10, 2024

He has suffered for us, in his endearingly inarticulate fashion.

From Salon • Nov. 18, 2023

Young and reckless, existential and inarticulate, hopeful and hopeless.

From New York Times • Mar. 8, 2023

And they seek others who share their general, inarticulate uneasiness.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 22, 2023

I did not listen to the next speaker, a tall white man who kept dabbing at his eyes with a handkerchief and repeating his phrases in an emotional and inarticulate manner.

From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison

Related Words

• incoherent