enunciate

verb

enun·​ci·​ate ē-ˈnən(t)-sē-ˌāt 

enunciated; enunciating

transitive verb

1

a

: to make a definite or systematic statement of

b

: announce, proclaim

enunciated the new policy

2

: articulate, pronounce

enunciate all the syllables

intransitive verb

: to utter articulate sounds

enunciable

ē-ˈnən(t)-sē-ə-bəl 

-ˈnən-ch(ē-)ə-

adjective

enunciation

ē-ˌnən(t)-sē-ˈā-shən 

noun

enunciator

ē-ˈnən(t)-sē-ˌā-tər 

noun

Synonyms

• speak
• say
• articulate

Examples of enunciate in a Sentence

He set out to enunciate the basic principles of his system.

enunciate a basic set of beliefs

Children should be taught to enunciate clearly.

Recent Examples on the Web

Speakers don’t have to yell, just enunciate and use different words. —R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2025

Several Israeli media have criticized Netanyahu's government for failing to bring the hostages home or to enunciate a clear plan for Gaza after the conflict. —Emily Rose, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2025

Not so much sonically, but just her honesty and her ability to enunciate these things. —Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 1 Aug. 2025

In an interview several years ago, rock star Pat Benatar, who had been initially trained as an opera singer, acknowledged the difficulty in making the transition from one style to another, specifically citing her need to learn not to enunciate. —George Varga, Mercury News, 28 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin enuntiatus, past participle of enuntiare to report, declare, from e- + nuntiare to report — more at announce

First Known Use

1623, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for enunciate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

Video

'Mispronunciations' That May Be Fine

'Mischievous,' 'nuclear,' and other words to pronounce with caution.

Kids Definition

enunciate

verb

enun·​ci·​ate ē-ˈnən(t)-sē-ˌāt 

enunciated; enunciating

1

: to make known publicly : proclaim

2

: to pronounce clearly : articulate

enunciable

-ə-bəl 

adjective

enunciation

-ˌnən(t)-sē-ˈā-shən 

noun

enunciator

-ˈnən(t)-sē-ˌāt-ər 

noun