How to pronounce articulate
Say it like ar-TIK-yuh-layt. Articulate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TIK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce articulate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ar
- TIK
- yuh
- layt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Articulate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- arKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- TIKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- yuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- laytGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of articulate
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: ah-TIK-yuu-lit.
What does articulate mean?
- provide with a joint“the carpenter jointed two pieces of wood”
- put into words or an expression“He formulated his concerns to the board of trustees”
- speak, pronounce, or utter in a certain way“She pronounces French words in a funny way”“I cannot say `zip wire'”
- expressing yourself easily or characterized by clear expressive language“articulate speech”“an articulate orator”
- consisting of segments held together by joints
Where does articulate come from?
The adjective is first attested in 1531, the verb in 1551; borrowed from Latin articulātus (“distinct, articulated, jointed”), perfect passive participle of articulō, see -ate (etymology 1, 2 and 3).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying articulate
How do you pronounce articulate?
Say ar-TIK-yuh-layt. The American pronunciation is /ɑrˈtɪkjəˌleɪt/. In British English it is /ɑːˈtɪkjʊlɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in articulate?
Articulate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TIK). Broken into parts: ar · TIK · yuh · layt.
Is articulate pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ɑːˈtɪkjʊlɪt/ (ah-TIK-yuu-lit).