enunciate

verb
enun·​ci·​ate | \ ē-ˈnən(t)-sē-ˌāt How to pronounce enunciate (audio) \
enunciated; enunciating

Definition of enunciate

transitive verb

1a : to make a definite or systematic statement of
b : announce, proclaim enunciated the new policy
2 : articulate, pronounce enunciate all the syllables

intransitive verb

: to utter articulate sounds

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from enunciate

enunciable \ ē-​ˈnən(t)-​sē-​ə-​bəl How to pronounce enunciable (audio) , -​ˈnən-​ch(ē-​)ə-​ \ adjective
enunciation \ ē-​ˌnən(t)-​sē-​ˈā-​shən How to pronounce enunciation (audio) \ noun
enunciator \ ē-​ˈnən(t)-​sē-​ˌā-​tər How to pronounce enunciator (audio) \ noun

Synonyms for enunciate

Synonyms

articulate

Visit the Thesaurus for More 

Examples of enunciate in a Sentence

He set out to enunciate the basic principles of his system. enunciate a basic set of beliefs Children should be taught to enunciate clearly.
See More

Recent Examples on the Web

That formula — clearly enunciated in 1767 by John Dickinson — failed. Thomas Wendel, National Review, "The Beginning of a Nation," 4 July 2019 Handing out candy and cigarettes, the man, a GI, patiently enunciates his words, before finding, astonished, that the kid speaks perfect English. Lidija Haas, Harper's magazine, "New Books," 10 Feb. 2019 Depressed patients don’t enunciate vowels as much as people who aren’t depressed. Sumathi Reddy, WSJ, "Does Your Smartphone Know if You’re Depressed?," 1 Apr. 2019 Then business: Kardashian West went first, explaining the case in her usual unhurried, enunciated cadence. Jessica Chou, Glamour, "Shawn Holley Will Free You Now," 11 Dec. 2018 There is a schism among metal singers over whether to enunciate well enough to make lyrics comprehensible. James R. Hagerty, WSJ, "Screeching in a Metal Band Takes Lozenges, Tea and a Patient Vocal Coach," 18 May 2018 The show is directed and musically staged by John Doyle, who generates a tornado of emotion but occasionally loses touch when his actors fail to enunciate crisply enough to be understood. Tom Titus, latimes.com, "On Theater: Strong singing propels 'The Color Purple'," 21 June 2018 Those last few phrases are enunciated in a fierce staccato, each syllable sounding a bit like a fresh indictment in a litany of accusations. James Hebert, sandiegouniontribune.com, "La Jolla Playhouse going out on a limb with world-premiere Robert Askins comedy 'The Squirrels'," 1 June 2018 If someone gets your name wrong, correct them as soon as possible, enunciating clearly and firmly but politely, so there is no mistake. Southern Living, "This Is The Proper Way to Introduce People," 11 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'enunciate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of enunciate

1623, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

History and Etymology for enunciate

Latin enuntiatus, past participle of enuntiare to report, declare, from e- + nuntiare to report — more at announce

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for enunciate

enunciate

verb

English Language Learners Definition of enunciate

formal : to make a clear statement of (ideas, beliefs, etc.)
: to pronounce words or parts of words clearly

enunciate

verb
enun·​ci·​ate | \ ē-ˈnən-sē-ˌāt How to pronounce enunciate (audio) \
enunciated; enunciating

Kids Definition of enunciate

1 : to make known publicly
2 : to pronounce words or parts of words “… Ole Golly sounded terribly proper and enunciated everything quite clearly …”— Louise Fitzhugh, Harriet the Spy

Keep scrolling for more