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

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

From Salon • Nov. 18, 2023

“It’s not that they’re not creative geniuses. It’s not that they’re inarticulate, although, go have a deep conversation with Grace Slick or Janis Joplin,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 16, 2023

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

From Seattle Times • Feb. 22, 2023

“She talks about the weird, inarticulate nature of the West and the sky,” Als said of the review.

From New York Times • Oct. 6, 2022

But I see that, as usual, love is inarticulate.

From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck

Related Words

• incoherent