# articulate

/ɑɹˈtɪkjəˌɫeɪt/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/articulate
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to express ideas

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to put your thoughts or feelings into clear words so others understand them.

For teachers: to formulate and express an idea, theory, or feeling fluently and coherently.

- It can be hard to articulate exactly why you feel nervous before a big speech.
- The CEO struggled to articulate a clear vision for the company's future during the emergency board meeting.

Usage: Often used with a direct object representing an abstract concept like a 'vision', 'need', or 'feeling'.

### 3. to connect with joints

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to connect two parts together with a joint so they can move.

For teachers: to form a joint or connect by joints; to build something so that it can bend at specific intervals.

- The robot's arm is designed to articulate at the shoulder and elbow.
- The skeletal remains show where the femur articulates with the pelvis, providing clues about how the creature moved.

Usage: In anatomy, it often takes the preposition 'with'.

## Examples

- She struggled to articulate her feelings about the move.
- The manager asked the team to articulate their concerns during the meeting so that every issue could be addressed.
- A successful politician must be able to articulate a clear vision for the future while simultaneously addressing the immediate, practical anxieties of the voting public.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.