Articulate - Word of the Day for IELTS Writing & Speaking

Whether you are someone preparing for the IELTS Writing or the IELTS Speaking exam, having a rich and proper set of vocabulary can significantly boost your band score. Among many other words that impress IELTS examiners, now let us turn the spotlight on the word “articulate.” 

This powerful word not only strengthens your speech but also helps show clarity, fluency, and lexical resources. These are the ones that are highly assessed in the IELTS exam.

In this article, you will learn the meaning of it, its usage, synonyms, sample sentences, and much more information that will help you confidently use the word ‘articulate’ in both the IELTS writing and speaking contexts.

What Does the Word “Articulate” Mean?

Articulate (verb) means expressing an idea or a feeling clearly and effectively.

Articulate (adjective) is used to describe a person who speaks clearly and expresses themselves properly.

Parts of Speech

• Verb: to articulate
• Noun: articulation
• Adjective: articulate

This word ‘articulate’ is mainly useful when discussing communication, views, social issues, education, public speaking, and one’s personal skills, which are all common topics in the IELTS exam.

Synonyms and Related Expressions for ‘Articulate’

• expressing clearly
• conveying
• communicating
• verbalizing
• eloquent (adjective)
• well-spoken (adjective)

Bonus tip: Do not overuse the synonym of this word. Sometimes the word “articulate” is stronger and more precise.

Examples of “Articulate” in IELTS-Style Sentences

As a Verb

• The candidate failed to articulate her ideas due to a lack of preparation.
• Children should be encouraged to articulate their views confidently during classes.
• This report articulates the challenges faced by urban communities.

As an Adjective

• He is an articulate student who can express complex ideas easily.
• I believe children become more articulate when they get exposed to more and more language-rich environments.
• Our whole interview panel was impressed by her articulate responses.

Sample Sentences for IELTS Writing Task 2 Using ‘Articulate’

Topic: Education

“Colleges should teach their students how to articulate their thoughts effectively. Because, this skill is important for their academic success and future employment.”

Topic: Leadership

“An articulate speaker can inspire people more easily as they can clearly communicate their visions, ideas and goals.”

Topic: Social Issues

“Many activists are usually articulate advocates who tend to raise public awareness through convincing communication.”

Topic: Technology & Communication

“Despite having various digital platforms, many young individuals struggle to articulate their feelings without trusting emoticons or short forms.”

Sample Answers for IELTS Speaking Using the Word ‘Articulate’

Speaking Part 2 – IELTS Cue Card Example

Describe someone you admire for their communication skills.

Sample Answer:

“A person I admire for their communication ability is my former English teacher in school. He is extremely articulate and can easily explain even the most complicated points in a simple and effective manner. What makes his communication outstanding is not just the clarity in his speech, but also his ability to articulate his thoughts in a very organised manner. Whenever he talks about a topic, he introduces it clearly, gives examples, and summarises his points without confusing the students. His articulate speaking style has inspired me to improve my communication skills, mainly in the academic and professional settings.”

Speaking Part 3 – Discussion Question

Do you think kids today are more articulate than in the past days?

Sample Answer:

“In some ways, this is true. Children these days are often exposed to more information through media and interactive learning tools, which helps them become more articulate at a very early age. However, exposure alone is not enough, and children do need guidance from teachers and parents to articulate their ideas properly and confidently. Hence, though modern resources contribute well, the ability to communicate effectively still depends majorly on education and practice.”

Sample Sentences Using the Word ‘Articulate’ 

• He suffers from glossophobia and can barely articulate his thoughts when standing on the stage.
• The presidential candidate has proven to be a brilliant speaker during the debate session, thanks to his ability to articulate arguments and ideas.
• She deliberately articulated each word to ensure her message was unmistakably interpreted.
• Public speaking skills are essentially crucial for anyone who aims to lead and influence people. It requires constant effort, practice and, sometimes, inner charisma to capture the audience’s attention and articulate a speaker’s message.
• Christina was surprisingly articulate during her presentation in philosophy class, considering that she was only informed of the topic ten minutes beforehand.
• Robert is considered one of the most articulate cum reporters of NBC for his sharp, persuasive comments as well as his quick improvisation towards unexpected situations.
• A highly articulate speaker is likely to be more effective in convincing and drawing out desired responses from listeners.

Vocabulary Based on the Sample Sentences for the Word ‘Articulate’

• Glossophobia (n): the fear of public speaking or of speaking in general
• Deliberately (adv): slowly and carefully
• Unmistakably (adv): in a way that cannot be mistaken for somebody/something else
• Interpret (v): to explain the meaning of something
• Inner (a): inside; towards or close to the centre of a place
• Charisma (n): the powerful personal quality that some people have to attract and impress other people
• Capture (v): make somebody interested
• Cum (prep.): (used for linking two nouns) and; as well as
• Considering that: used to show that you are thinking about a particular fact, and are influenced by it, when you make a statement about something; although
• Inform (v): to tell somebody about something, especially in an official way; to find out information about something
• Improvisation (n): the ability to make or do something using whatever is available, usually because you do not have what you really need
• Draw out (phrasal verb): to make someone or something show a quality that they have

Practice Exercises to Use the Word ‘Articulate’

Try using the word “articulate” in your own sentences:

1. Describe an articulate individual.
2. Write one advantage of being able to articulate your ideas.