articulate

adjective

ar·tic·u·late | \är-ˈti-kyə-lət

Definition of articulate

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : expressing oneself readily, clearly, and effectively an articulate teacher also : expressed in such a manner an articulate argument

b : divided into syllables or words meaningfully arranged : intelligible an articulate cry/utterance

c : able to speak So furious was he that he was hardly articulate …— Arthur Conan Doyle

2a : consisting of segments united by joints : jointed articulate animals

b : distinctly marked off an articulate period in history

articulate

verb

ar·tic·u·late | \är-ˈti-kyə-ˌlāt

articulated; articulating

Definition of articulate (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to give clear and effective utterance to : to put into words articulate one's grievances He found it hard to articulate his feelings.

b : to utter distinctly articulating each note in the musical phrase

c : to give definition to (something, such as a shape or object) Eight shades of gray were chosen to articulate different spaces.— Carol Vogel

d : to give shape or expression to (something, such as a theme or concept) a drama that uses eerie props to articulate a sense of foreboding

2a : to unite by or as if by means of a joint : joint

b : to form or fit into a systematic whole articulating a program for all school grades

intransitive verb

1 : to utter clear and understandable sounds

2 : to become united or connected by or as if by a joint Most bones articulate with other bones in one or more places.

Other Words from articulate Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about articulate

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from articulate

Adjective

articulately adverb

articulateness noun

Verb

articulative \-lə-tiv,

-ˌlā- \ adjective

articulator \-ˌlā-tər

\ noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for articulate

Synonyms: Adjective

eloquent, fluent, silver-tongued, well-spoken

Synonyms: Verb

enunciate

Antonyms: Adjective

inarticulate, ineloquent, unvocal

Examples of articulate in a Sentence

Adjective

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 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 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 She's an intelligent and articulate speaker. He was very articulate about his feelings on the subject. The baby is beginning to form articulate words and phrases.

Verb

She was shocked, she told me, to see that he insisted on talking about her ideas—and about the pains and hopes that gave rise to them. "The only way to keep it is to give it away," he told her, articulating and enacting the essence of altruism. — Joshua Wolf Shenk, Atlantic, June 2009 "Fiction just doesn't interest me," one 41-year-old construction worker told CNN. "If I'm going to get a story, I'll get a movie," he said, articulating an attitude surely shared by many others in our media-saturated world. — Sara Nelson, Publishers Weekly, 27 Aug. 2007 Erudite, elderly, and introspective, one of my patients articulates clearly some of today's dilemmas facing both alcoholic patients and their physicians. — Thomas L. Delbanco, Journal of the American Medical Association, 13 Mar. 1996 He had some trouble articulating his thoughts. We disagree with the views articulated by the administration. a theory first articulated by ancient philosophers the bones that articulate with the clavicle

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Request a meeting with administration and ask your most influential and articulate group member to serve as spokesperson. — Marie G. Mcintyre, The Seattle Times, "Struggling in the chaotic, stressful health-care workplace," 21 Nov. 2018 Dana Perino, that was such an articulate and thoughtful analysis of the deep state. — Fox News, "Kavanaugh accused: Where does the burden of proof lie?," 19 Sep. 2018 The strings were as effervescent and articulate as can be, but the stars in No. — Zachary Lewis, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Orchestra keeps the flame burning as 'The Prometheus Project' continues (review)," 14 May 2018 Vital, among the most engaging and articulate UConn basketball players, always has a lot to say, both in conversation and body language. — Mike Anthony, courant.com, "Mike Anthony: Christian Vital's Fire Can Fuel Or Burn UConn," 17 June 2018 Carole Radziwill has two types of fans: Those who know her as a cool, unusually articulate Bravo star, and those, often of a different generation, who know her as the three-time Emmy, Peabody award-winning journalist and best-selling author. — refinery29.com, "Carole Radziwill Doesn't Care If She's Your Favorite Real Housewife," 11 June 2018 The judge in charge, a firm, no-nonsense woman (Saadia Bentaieb), sits on one side of a table, faced by Antoine (Denis Ménochet) and Miriam (Léa Drucker) and their articulate, dueling attorneys. — Kenneth Turan, latimes.com, "Review: Searing French drama 'Custody' is an unforgettable experience," 10 July 2018 Of all the major entertainment awards shows, the Tonys consistently delivers the most articulate speeches, and 2018 was no exception. — David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, "The 72nd Annual Tony Awards: TV Review," 11 June 2018 Brad Keselowski, often one of the most articulate spokesmen about racing’s big issues, plants himself firmly in that category. — Mike Hembree, USA TODAY, "NASCAR's conundrum: Cup Drivers want speed, fans clamor for excitement," 10 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

López Obrador, like his opponents, has struggled to articulate a viable security strategy. — Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, "A New Revolution in Mexico," 25 June 2012 To articulate this connection, Diego Faivre staged an interactive project called Minute Manufacturing. — Diana Budds, Curbed, "The most bizarre and brilliant projects from a Dutch design fair," 5 Nov. 2018 The book seems to articulate many of the anxieties that gripped the country after its release. — The Economist, "Brexit is reverberating in British literature," 5 July 2018 The threats posed to the bears by climate change are real and growing, but can be difficult to articulate. — Eva Holland, Smithsonian, "Where the Doomed, Beloved Polar Bear Is Still a Dangerous Predator," 16 May 2018 And, althoughTochi's ability to learn is unlimited, her ability to articulate is limited. — Amy Schwabe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Milwaukee mom learns the power of family to help her daughter with cerebral palsy," 12 Apr. 2018 This administration is unable to clearly articulate policy or provide solutions. — Beth Mlady, cleveland.com, "Resident appeals to Berea City Council for immediate change to high school traffic flow," 23 Jan. 2018 What that means for museums, art museums specifically, is still being articulated. — Jackie Mansky, Smithsonian, "The Neuroscientist in the Art Museum," 19 June 2018 This tradition, while not articulated anywhere in city code, has historically given aldermen veto power over developments in their wards. — Maya Dukmasova, Chicago Reader, "News / Housing Aldermen's absolute veto power over ward projects gets unlikely court challenge," 16 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'articulate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.