articulate

¹ar·tic·u·late

adj \är-ˈti-kyə-lət\

Definition of ARTICULATE

1

a : divided into syllables or words meaningfully arranged : intelligible b : able to speak c : expressing oneself readily, clearly, or effectively <an articulate teacher>; also : expressed readily, clearly, or effectively <an articulate argument>

2

a : consisting of segments united by joints : jointed <articulate animals> b : distinctly marked off

— ar·tic·u·late·ly adverb

— ar·tic·u·late·ness noun

Examples of ARTICULATE

1. She's an intelligent and articulate speaker.
2. He was very articulate about his feelings on the subject.
3. The baby is beginning to form articulate words and phrases.
4. But he clearly adored his quick-witted and mercilessly articulate elder daughter. Contrary to feminist accounts of her patriarchal imprisonment, Emily Dickinson's objections to her father's strictures had an affectionate tone … —Christopher Benfey, New York Review of Books, 17 Jan. 2002
5. The engaging and articulate Bol makes campers realize how fortunate they are to have the freedoms enjoyed in America, and he emphasizes the importance of capitalizing on their opportunities to get the most out of life. —Chris Broussard, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2002
6. Among the most articulate critics of the tests are the boycotting students, who complain about narrowing opportunities and shrinking curricula. —Peter Schrag, Atlantic, August 2000

Origin of ARTICULATE

Latin articulatus jointed, past participle of articulare, from articulus (see ¹article)

First Known Use: 1586

Related to ARTICULATE

Synonyms: eloquent, fluent, silver-tongued, well-spoken

Antonyms: inarticulate, ineloquent, unvocal

Related Words: facile, glib, smooth-tongued, voluble; expressive, outspoken, verbal, vocal; blabby, chatty, garrulous, loquacious, talkative, verbose; unfaltering, unhesitating

Near Antonyms: faltering, halting, hesitant, maundering, mumbling, muttering, sputtering, stammering, stumbling, stuttering; mute, speechless, tongueless, tongue-tied, voiceless

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Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile

Rhymes with ARTICULATE

apiculate, auriculate, denticulate, geniculate, particulate, reticulate, vermiculate