punctuate

[ puhngk-choo-eyt ]

verb (used with object)

punctuated, punctuating.

1. to mark or divide (something written) with punctuation marks in order to make the meaning clear.
2. to interrupt at intervals:

   Cheers punctuated the mayor's speech.

3. to give emphasis or force to; emphasize; underline.

verb (used without object)

punctuated, punctuating.

1. to insert or use marks of punctuation.

punctuate

/ ˈpʌŋktjʊˌeɪt /

verb

1. also intr to insert punctuation marks into (a written text)
2. to interrupt or insert at frequent intervals

   a meeting punctuated by heckling

3. to give emphasis to

Derived Forms

• ˈpunctuˌator, noun

Other Word Forms

• punctu·ator noun
• non·punctu·ating adjective
• re·punctu·ate verb (used with object) repunctuated repunctuating
• un·punctu·ated adjective
• un·punctu·ating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of punctuate¹

1625–35; < Medieval Latin pūnctuātus (past participle of pūnctuāre to point), derivative of Latin pūnctus a pricking; punctual

Word History and Origins

Origin of punctuate¹

C17: from Medieval Latin punctuāre to prick, from Latin punctum a prick, from pungere to puncture

Example Sentences

Despite striking out seven batters, he was knocked around for a five-spot in the third, punctuated by a hanging curveball Michael Toglia hit for a grand slam.

From Los Angeles Times

It's punctuated by stretches of companionable silence, where Young drums on his knees, or interacts with his son Ben, who was born with severe cerebral palsy.

From BBC

Large murals celebrating the city's automotive history punctuate the scenery.

From BBC

Sporadic chants punctuated a steady stream of tambourines, car horns, applause and cheering.

From Los Angeles Times

I think of all this with my thoughts punctuated by the grim onslaught of transphobic — and broadly queerphobic — legislation promised to be delivered from Congress and the cultural vitriol espoused by our nation’s sitting president.

From Salon

Related Words

• interrupt
• intersperse
• pepper
• sprinkle
• underline