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.
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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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punctuatornoun
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repunctuateverb (used with object)
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nonpunctuatingadjective
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unpunctuatedadjective
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unpunctuatingadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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punctuatesimple
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punctuatessimple
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have punctuatedperfect
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has punctuatedperfect
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am punctuatingprogressive
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are punctuatingprogressive
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is punctuatingprogressive
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have been punctuatingperfect progressive
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has been punctuatingperfect progressive
Past
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punctuatedsimple
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had punctuatedperfect
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was punctuatingprogressive
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were punctuatingprogressive
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had been punctuatingperfect progressive
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.
See Examples For:
They spray confetti into the audience to punctuate their biggest songs, and add an honorary fifth member, Ryan Malcolm, to flesh out their sound with swells of keyboard and additional rhythm guitar.
From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026
While not exactly winding down its tenseness, “Omaha” exits with some explanatory text about the origins of its narrative that will punctuate your sadness with shocks.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 1, 2026
The earnings punctuate one of the more impressive advances for the market since the Covid pandemic.
From Barron's ● Apr. 27, 2026
Imagine this: The cheerful, if slightly scolding voices of the self-checkout machines punctuate the steady hum of fluorescent lights.
From Salon ● Jan. 3, 2026
“I’m trying to teach my teenage son to punctuate properly,” said a nice scholarly-looking man.
From "Eats, Shoots & Leaves" by Author
He routinely punctuates his public speeches with historical anecdotes and oddities.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 10, 2026
That Garbus shuffles late-night bits into the action punctuates the blur of corporate interests and celebrity that the Murdochs represent.
From Salon ● Mar. 14, 2026
An unexpected board drama at Denmark’s Novo Nordisk punctuates an already tumultuous year in which the maker of the blockbusters Ozempic and Wegovy plans to slash 9,000 workers globally.
From Barron's ● Oct. 22, 2025
Once more, it was a realpolitik that punctuates the Portuguese's career - and would sit well with the realism of Hardy.
From BBC ● Apr. 23, 2025
Her voice has a bravery to it, and she punctuates the sentence with a firm little nod.
From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse
And sure enough, his inflammatory words have punctuated the carefully crafted image of unity at this crucial gathering.
From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2026
The episode punctuated how reflexively we latch onto the idea of weakness as the primary outgrowth of racial injustice.
From Salon ● Jun. 19, 2026
The lead-up to the tournament was punctuated by squabbles over trade, security and harsh immigration policies in the U.S.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 16, 2026
The event, bringing together users and fans of the Twitch video livestreaming service, displayed a cacophony of colours and sounds across the multiple stands, punctuated by shows by drag queens and a Minecraft tournament.
From Barron's ● May 30, 2026
There was a special quietness about the place, punctuated now and then by the high trill of birdsong.
From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood
The funniest part of that conversation is when Sam labels Judith a WOACA, a Woman of a Certain Age, pronouncing it as if he were Fozzie Bear punctuating a joke in an old-timey stand-up set.
From Salon ● Jul. 26, 2026
There are five infinity fountains, also clad in carvings, punctuating the space while fragrant native plants perfume the warm, dry L.A. air, identified by information cards written in Halsey’s recognizable script.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 14, 2026
Jabs were scarce; instead, the fight descended into clinches from Clarke and heavy leaning from TKV, with lunging, telegraphed punches punctuating the action.
From BBC ● Nov. 29, 2025
“I’m holding and I will buy more tomorrow! already 30k shares. LET’S GO,” one wrote, punctuating the statement with a large number of exclamation points.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2025
Some of them were noisy sleepers, punctuating their dreams with snores.
From "The Devil's Arithmetic" by Jane Yolen
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.
