punctuate

American  

[puhngk-choo-eyt] / ˈpʌŋk tʃuˌeɪt /

verb (used with object)

punctuated, punctuating

1. to mark or divide (something written) with punctuation marks in order to make the meaning clear.

2. to interrupt at intervals.

   Cheers punctuated the mayor's speech.

3. to give emphasis or force to; emphasize; underline.

---

verb (used without object)

punctuated, punctuating

1. to insert or use marks of punctuation.

punctuate British  

/ ˈpʌŋktjʊˌeɪt /

verb

1. (also intr) to insert punctuation marks into (a written text)

2. to interrupt or insert at frequent intervals

   a meeting punctuated by heckling

3. to give emphasis to

---

Other Word Forms

• nonpunctuating adjective
• punctuator noun
• repunctuate verb (used with object)
• unpunctuated adjective
• unpunctuating adjective

Etymology

Origin of punctuate

1625–35; < Medieval Latin pūnctuātus (past participle of pūnctuāre to point), derivative of Latin pūnctus a pricking; punctual

Example Sentences

It was full of his idiosyncratic movements, frustrations of the opposition and punctuated with sweet drives through the covers.

From BBC

Imagine this: The cheerful, if slightly scolding voices of the self-checkout machines punctuate the steady hum of fluorescent lights.

From Salon

Each 11-minute episode follows mundane escapades, like hosting a movie night or getting in a hot tub, punctuated by a somewhat disturbing art style and clumsy-on-purpose animation that strays into the uncanny valley.

From Salon

He used sparse lighting to create ominous atmospheres in his work that he would punctuate with distorted images and unsettling ambient noises.

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s no wonder the experience can feel oddly flat or stop-start, punctuated by small panics over whether it was two teaspoons or two tablespoons of red pepper flakes.

From Salon

Related Words

• interrupt
• intersperse
• pepper
• sprinkle
• underline