Articulate
/ɑrˈtɪkjəˌleɪt/
adjectiveverbB2
Definition
As an adjective, articulate describes someone who can speak clearly and express their thoughts in a way that others easily understand. As a verb, it means to say or explain something clearly and carefully.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
Adjective: Able to speak clearly and express ideas well
- •She is very articulate and always explains her thoughts clearly.
- •The articulate speaker impressed the audience with his clear words.
- •He is an articulate child who can express his feelings well.
Verb: To say or explain something clearly
- •Please articulate your ideas during the meeting.
- •She articulated her opinion carefully so everyone could understand.
- •It is important to articulate your goals before starting a project.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "articulate" like "say" (A1 word), but with clear, careful, and strong expression so others understand easily.
- ✓Picture a person speaking slowly and clearly, with good words, so everyone listens and understands.
- ✓It's the feeling when you can explain your ideas well and others nod because they get you.
- ✓Sounds like "art-ic-you-late" → imagine an artist carefully painting (art) words that connect (ic-you) and last (late).
- ✓Think of a teacher explaining a lesson so all students understand clearly.
- ✓NOT like "mumble" (unclear, quiet), "articulate" is clear and easy to hear.
- ✓NOT like "shout" (loud but not clear), "articulate" focuses on clear meaning, not volume.
- ✓NOT like "write" which uses pen and paper, "articulate" is about speaking or saying words clearly.
Try Other Words
- •Express: to show or say your thoughts or feelings (Use when focusing on sharing feelings or ideas, not necessarily clearly or carefully)
- •Pronounce: to say the sounds of words correctly (Use when focusing on saying words correctly, not about ideas)
- •Communicate: to share information or ideas (Use when focusing on general sharing, not always clearly or well)
- •Explain: to make something clear or easy to understand (Use when focusing on making ideas clear, often in detail)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "art-" (related to skill or craft) + "-iculate" (from Latin "articulatus," meaning "jointed" or "distinct")
- •Etymology: From Latin "articulatus," past participle of "articulare," meaning "to divide into joints" or "to utter distinctly"
- •Historical development: Originally related to clear speech as if words are 'joined' well; used since the 15th century in English
- •Modern usage: Used to describe clear speech or clear expression of ideas, both as adjective and verb
Reflect & Connect
•How do you feel when someone is very articulate? Does it make you trust their ideas more?
•Can someone be articulate in writing as well as speaking? How is it different?
Fill in the blanks
1.To be successful in a job interview, it is important to be articulate and ___ your ideas clearly.
2.When someone is not articulate, their words may be ___ or hard to understand.
3.She was very articulate ___ explaining the complex topic so everyone could follow.
4.Unlike a quiet person who mumbles, an articulate speaker uses ___ words and clear sentences.
5.You should articulate your goals ___ before starting any important project.
6.Being articulate often helps people feel more ___ and confident when speaking.
7.If you cannot articulate your thoughts well, others might ___ your meaning or get confused.