adjective
inarticulate
in-ar-TIK-yuh-lut/ˌɪnɑːrˈtɪkjələt/
Unable to express thoughts clearly in words.
He struggles to express himself and feels inarticulate.
Etymology
Articulare linked separating something into joints with uttering speech distinctly. With the negative prefix, the word first described unclear speech and then people unable to express themselves clearly.
In context
He was as a man with mighty tidings and no language, intensely communicative but inarticulate.
More examples
- Her inarticulate reply concealed a clear but difficult thought.
- The character struggles with being inarticulate.
- She felt unusually inarticulate during the interview.
Forms
inarticulate · more inarticulate · most inarticulate
Similar words
- ineloquent
- Ineloquent lacks graceful expression; inarticulate may struggle to express a thought at all clearly.
- speechless
- Speechless means unable to speak, often temporarily; inarticulate can involve confused or unclear speech.