enunciate

[ ih-nuhn-see-eyt ]

verb (used with object)

, e·nun·ci·at·ed, e·nun·ci·at·ing.

1. to utter or pronounce (words, sentences, etc.), especially in an articulate or a particular manner:

   He enunciates his words distinctly.

2. to state or declare definitely, as a theory.
3. to announce or proclaim:

   to enunciate one's intentions.

verb (used without object)

, e·nun·ci·at·ed, e·nun·ci·at·ing.

1. to pronounce words, especially in an articulate or a particular manner.

enunciate

/ ɪˈnʌnsɪˌeɪt /

verb

1. to articulate or pronounce (words), esp clearly and distinctly
2. tr to state precisely or formally

Derived Forms

• eˈnunciatively, adverb
• eˈnunciative, adjective
• eˌnunciˈation, noun
• eˈnunciˌator, noun

Other Words From

• e·nunci·a·ble adjective
• e·nunci·a·bili·ty noun
• e·nunci·ative e·nunci·a·tory adjective
• e·nunci·ative·ly adverb
• e·nunci·ator noun
• none·nunci·ative adjective
• none·nunci·a·tory adjective
• ree·nunci·ate verb reenunciated reenunciating
• une·nunci·a·ble adjective
• une·nunci·ated adjective
• une·nunci·ative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of enunciate¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin ēnūntiātus (past participle of ēnūntiāre ), equivalent to ē- “from, out of” ( e- ¹ ) + nūnti(us) “messenger, message” + -ātus suffix ( -ate ¹ )

Word History and Origins

Origin of enunciate¹

C17: from Latin ēnuntiāre to declare, from nuntiāre to announce, from nuntius messenger

Example Sentences

And I don’t enunciate and I can’t say half the words in the English language to this day.

From Los Angeles Times

He went to great lengths to enunciate former president Barack Obama’s middle name: “I’m sure you haven’t heard of him, Barack Hussein Obama,” he said, drawing boos from the crowd.

From Salon

Although our internal team, and eventually the studio executives, are the only ones who will ever hear this rough draft audio, I still put all my focus on flexing my acting muscles and giving my performance panache, while not forgetting to enunciate.

From Los Angeles Times

The coordinator, too, wants Howell to “over-communicate” and enunciate clearly so that teammates don’t miss a word, Howell says.

From Washington Times

Biden has a stutter, which can make it seem as if he can’t remember words when in fact he is struggling to enunciate them.

From New York Times

Related Words

• affirm
• articulate
• intone
• lay down
• outline
• propound
• utter