Inarticulate: meaning, definitions and examples

This word is best used when describing someone who is unable to express their thoughts or feelings clearly and effectively. It often implies difficulty in speaking or writing clearly.

• He was inarticulate with anger and couldn't form a proper sentence.
• Despite her vast knowledge, she remained inarticulate during the presentation.

Use this word when describing speech or writing that lacks logical connection or clarity, making it difficult to follow. It is often used when someone is talking in a disjointed manner, especially under stress or confusion.

• Her story was so incoherent that no one could follow what she was saying.
• After the accident, he was incoherent and couldn't provide any useful information.

This word fits situations where something is completely impossible to understand. It typically emphasizes the extent to which something is unclear or beyond comprehension.

• The technical jargon in the manual was incomprehensible to most users.
• The concept was so abstract that it seemed incomprehensible to the students.

This word is appropriate when referring to speech or text that is confused or distorted, making it difficult to understand. It often suggests a mix-up or error in communication.

• The message was garbled, and we couldn't understand the instructions.
• His garbled explanation left everyone more confused than before.

Identical to the previous, this describes unclear or not well-spoken speech, often because the speaker is flustered or not practiced in speaking.

• She gave an inarticulate speech, stumbling over her words and pausing frequently

This is appropriate for describing speech where the words are spoken in a low, unclear way, typically because the speaker is not enunciating properly.

• He mumbled his apology, and I could barely understand what he was saying

Use this for describing anything that is not easily understood or lacking in clarity, whether it is speech, writing, or instructions.

• Her explanation of the rules was unclear, causing confusion among the participants

Use this when something, usually sound or appearance, is not clear or barely perceptible, often due to background noise or being out of focus.

• The voices on the recording were indistinct and hard to understand