inarticulate

[ in-ahr-tik-yuh-lit ]
/ ˌɪn ɑrˈtɪk yə lɪt /

adjective

lacking the ability to express oneself, especially in clear and effective speech: an inarticulate public speaker.
unable to use articulate speech: inarticulate with rage.
not articulate; not uttered or emitted with expressive or intelligible modulations: His mouth stuffed, he could utter only inarticulate sounds.
not fully expressed or expressible: a voice choked with inarticulate agony.
Anatomy, Zoology. not jointed; having no articulation or joint.

Origin of inarticulate

From the Late Latin word inarticulātus, dating back to 1595–1605. See in-3, articulate

OTHER WORDS FROM inarticulate

in·ar·tic·u·late·ly, adverb in·ar·tic·u·late·ness, noun

Example sentences from the Web for inarticulate

British Dictionary definitions for inarticulate

inarticulate
/ (ˌɪnɑːˈtɪkjʊlɪt) /

adjective

unable to express oneself fluently or clearly; incoherent
(of speech, language, etc) unclear or incomprehensible; unintelligible inarticulate grunts
unable to speak; dumb
unable to be expressed; unvoiced inarticulate suffering
biology having no joints, segments, or articulation

Derived forms of inarticulate

inarticulately, adverb inarticulateness or inarticulacy, noun

Medical definitions for inarticulate

inarticulate
[ ĭn′är-tĭkyə-lĭt ]

adj.

Uttered without the use of normal words or syllables; incomprehensible as speech or language.
Unable to speak; speechless.
Unable to speak with clarity or eloquence.
Not having joints or segments.

Other words from inarticulate

in′ar•ticu•late•ness null n.