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

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

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

From Seattle Times • Feb. 22, 2023

To understand the gap between how Nitram saw himself versus how others perceived the inarticulate, angry young man, Kurzel assigned Jones tasks: film himself with a video camera, doodle in a diary.

From New York Times • Apr. 1, 2022

Simon became inarticulate in his effort to express mankind's essential illness.

From "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding

Related Words

• incoherent