Articulate

/ɑːˈtɪkjuleɪt/

verbIntermediate📊CommonCommunication
2 meanings1 question

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To express or explain something clearly and effectively.

/ɑːˈtɪkjuleɪt/

verbpositiveIntermediate
Communication

To express (an idea or feeling) fluently and clearly.

She articulated her concerns to the manager.

💡 Simply: To speak or write clearly and easily understood.

More Examples

2

He struggled to articulate his feelings.

How It's Used

Public Speaking

"The politician articulated his vision for the future."

Academic Writing

"The essay articulates a complex argument with precision."

2

Able to express oneself clearly and effectively.

/ɑːˈtɪkjuleɪt/

adjectivepositiveIntermediate
Communication

Having or showing the ability to speak fluently and clearly.

She's a very articulate speaker.

💡 Simply: Good at speaking clearly and effectively.

More Examples

2

He gave an articulate response to the question.

How It's Used

Job Description

"The ideal candidate is articulate and persuasive."

Tip:An articulate person is well-jointed in their speech.

From Latin articulatus, past participle of articulare "to furnish with joints", from articulus "joint, knuckle, point", diminutive of artus "joint, limb". The sense of expressing oneself clearly developed later.

Historically, 'articulate' focused more on the physical sense of joints. Its figurative use to describe clear expression developed over time.

Memory tip

Think of 'articulations' in the body – clear points of connection and expression.

Word Origin

Original meaning

"jointed, connected"

Base: articulate
articulate your thoughtsarticulate a positionarticulate clearly

Common misspellings

articulateearticulat

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written