enunciate

verb

enun·​ci·​ate ē-ˈnən(t)-sē-ˌāt 

enunciated; enunciating

transitive verb

1

a

: 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

enunciable

ē-ˈnən(t)-sē-ə-bəl 

-ˈnən-ch(ē-)ə-

adjective

enunciation

ē-ˌnən(t)-sē-ˈā-shən 

noun

enunciator

ē-ˈnən(t)-sē-ˌā-tər 

noun

Synonyms

• articulate

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order enunciating that a school receiving federal funds violates Title IX by denying opportunities to athletes who are born women in favor of athletes who are transgender women. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 6 Feb. 2025

In fact, for all the confusion of his policies toward China, Europe, and the Middle East, Trump has enunciated a clear three-part position on Russia, which contrasts strongly with that of most of the U.S. political elite. —Robert David English, Foreign Affairs, 10 Mar. 2017

Until recently, however, putting this norm into practice proved tougher than enunciating it. —Stewart Patrick, Foreign Affairs, 24 Mar. 2011

Love’s Travel Stops, a sponsor of Front Row, enunciated a similar concern. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1623, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Video

'Mispronunciations' That May Be Fine

'Mischievous,' 'nuclear,' and other words to pronounce with caution.

Kids Definition

enunciate

verb

enun·​ci·​ate ē-ˈnən(t)-sē-ˌāt 

enunciated; enunciating

1

: to make known publicly : proclaim

2

: to pronounce clearly : articulate

enunciable

-ə-bəl 

adjective

enunciation

-ˌnən(t)-sē-ˈā-shən 

noun

enunciator

-ˈnən(t)-sē-ˌāt-ər 

noun