Meaning & use
articulate
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivecomparableapproving
Able to put ideas into clear words, so that listeners or readers follow easily.
Grammar: Describes people and their speech: an articulate speaker. The last syllable is pronounced like it.
Patterns
- articulate about something
- an articulate speaker
She is an articulate student who explains complex ideas simply.
The candidate was articulate about her plans for the city.
His articulate defense impressed the jury.
verbtransitiveformal
To say or explain something in words, especially a feeling or an idea that is hard to describe.
Grammar: Takes an object; the last syllable is pronounced like ate.
Patterns
- articulate something
- articulate a view
He struggled to articulate why the music moved him.
The report articulates a clear vision for the school.
Can you articulate your concerns before the meeting?
verbtransitive or intransitive
To pronounce words or sounds clearly and carefully.
Grammar: Used in speech training: articulate each syllable.
Patterns
- articulate a word
The actor articulated every consonant on stage.
Please articulate so the people at the back can hear.
Children learn to articulate sounds by copying adults.
Word forms
| comparative | more articulate |
|---|---|
| superlative | most articulate |
| third person singular | articulates |
| past tense | articulated |
| past participle | articulated |
| -ing form | articulating |
Common combinations
- highly articulate
- She is a highly articulate spokesperson.
- articulate a vision
- The CEO articulated a vision for the next decade.
- articulate your thoughts
- It helps to write notes so you can articulate your thoughts.
- articulate speaker
- He is an articulate speaker with a calm tone.
- clearly articulate
- Please clearly articulate the problem.
Synonyms and how they differ
- eloquent
- Eloquent suggests graceful and moving speech, while articulate mainly means clear and well organised.
- fluent
- Fluent is about speaking smoothly, especially in a language, but articulate is about expressing ideas clearly.
- express
- Express is a general verb for showing a feeling, while articulate implies putting it precisely into words.
- voice
- Voice means to state an opinion openly, whereas articulate stresses finding the right words.
Opposites
Word family
- articulation noun
- the act of expressing or pronouncing clearly
- articulately adverb
- in a clear way
- inarticulate adjective
- unable to speak clearly
- articulated adjective
- joined with a flexible connection, as in an articulated lorry
Commonly confused: articulate or eloquent?
articulate vs eloquent
An eloquent person speaks beautifully and persuasively, but an articulate person need only be clear.
Practice
The teenager was so ____ that she explained the legal issue better than the adults did.
Choose one answer.
Articulate means able to express ideas clearly, which fits explaining better than adults. The other options mean unclear or unsure.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “articulate”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.