punctuate
Americanverb (used with object)
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to mark or divide (something written) with punctuation marks in order to make the meaning clear.
-
to interrupt at intervals.
Cheers punctuated the mayor's speech.
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to give emphasis or force to; emphasize; underline.
verb (used without object)
verb
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(also intr) to insert punctuation marks into (a written text)
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to interrupt or insert at frequent intervals
a meeting punctuated by heckling
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to give emphasis to
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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unpunctuatingadjective
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punctuatornoun
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nonpunctuatingadjective
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repunctuateverb (used with object)
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unpunctuatedadjective
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have punctuatedperfect
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has punctuatedperfect 3rd person singular
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has been punctuatingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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have been punctuatingperfect progressive
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am punctuatingprogressive 1st person singular
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is punctuatingprogressive 3rd person singular
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are punctuatingprogressive
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punctuatingparticiple
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punctuatessingular 3rd person
Past
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had punctuatedperfect
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was punctuatingprogressive singular
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were punctuatingprogressive plural
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had been punctuatingperfect progressive
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punctuatedsimple
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punctuatedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of punctuate
1625–35; < Medieval Latin pūnctuātus (past participle of pūnctuāre to point), derivative of Latin pūnctus a pricking; see punctual
Explanation
Most commonly, punctuate means to insert standard marks (like periods, commas, and exclamation points) into written sentences. You punctuate sentences to give the reader additional information, such as when a sentence ends, whether or not that sentence is a question, and when a series of words might be a list. You can also punctuate, or emphasize, your words by shouting them or making them ALL CAPS. Occasionally, this verb can also mean "interrupt periodically," as when your cat walks back and forth across your keyboard, punctuating your writing with "shjkpl;" and "pohjxz."
Vocabulary lists containing punctuate
Language and Grammar - Introductory
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Refugee
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Common Core Grades 7–8, List 5
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Inoue seized the opportunity to put his foot down and attacked with combinations in the final two rounds to punctuate another memorable victory.
From BBC • May 2, 2026
The earnings punctuate one of the more impressive advances for the market since the Covid pandemic.
From Barron's • Apr. 27, 2026
Jamal Murray drained a three-pointer from almost three-quarters court at the buzzer to punctuate a chaotic final 35 seconds that included Doncic’s 13th technical foul of the season and an 8-0 run for the Nuggets.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 21, 2026
It’s obviously being used to punctuate the ending of a chapter with the show coming to a close.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 17, 2026
“Of course I punctuate my text messages, I did A-level English,” one young man explained, with a look of scorn.
From "Eats, Shoots & Leaves" by Author
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
